March 9,2026
RED FM News Desk
Christine Boyle, B.C.’s Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, said the latest rent report shows declining prices, easing everyday costs for residents. She credited years of government policies, partnerships, and efforts such as cutting red tape, speeding up approvals, cracking down on speculators, and boosting construction of purpose-built rentals—21,000 units were completed in 2025, a 56% increase over 2024.
The province recorded about 25,900 new home registrations in 2025, up nearly 40% from 2024, and is focusing on turning these into actual construction by improving efficiency and reducing costs. Programs like the Digitally Accelerated Standardized Housing (DASH) platform are being tested to streamline building three-to-six-storey developments.
B.C. also partnered with the federal government through Build Canada Homes, securing $170 million in funding, along with $200 million from the province, to build over 700 supportive and transitional homes, with potential to fund an additional 400 homes using innovative methods.
Boyle emphasized the importance of building homes that meet people’s needs, highlighting 116 below-market rental homes near transit in Burnaby as an example of cost-saving, community-focused development. She concluded that while progress is encouraging, more work is needed to ensure affordable housing remains accessible throughout B.C.
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