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Hot, Hot Housing

Hot, Hot Housing

Hot, Hot Housing 🔥🔥🏠 is a reported column on the housing crisis in Vancouver and beyond in lead up to the October municipal elections.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts predicted the worldwide halt of many economic activities would lead to a drop in home sales, prices and rents. Instead, the opposite happened.

In this column, reporters Jen St. Denis and Christopher Cheung investigate all the forces causing prices and rents to overheat, and where policy is falling short. They also dig into the hot emotions of just how bad unaffordability has become. B.C.’s Housing Minister David Eby said the battle to find a home here has turned into The Hunger Games.

Got housing stories of your own? Whether it’s market hijinks, tenancy horrors or survival tips, you can email our reporters at [email protected].

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In This Series

Rate Hikes Hit BC’s Hot, Hot Housing. What’s Their Cooling Effect?

Rate Hikes Hit BC’s Hot, Hot Housing. What’s Their Cooling Effect?

Our final column examines the effect of runaway inflation on home affordability in Canada’s priciest province.

Jen St. Denis / 26 Aug 2022


Breaking Down the Big New Batch of Housing Data

Breaking Down the Big New Batch of Housing Data

StatCan’s latest survey is troubling on many levels. But the housing crisis isn’t without solutions. Our newest Hot, Hot Housing.

Christopher Cheung / 19 Aug 2022


It’s a Municipal Election Year. In Vancouver, Homelessness Is Top of Mind

It’s a Municipal Election Year. In Vancouver, Homelessness Is Top of Mind

City council candidates share their thoughts.

Jen St. Denis / 12 Aug 2022


A Suite Deal: Why Some Still Pay Low, Low Rents

A Suite Deal: Why Some Still Pay Low, Low Rents

They got their foot in the door ahead of a hot rental market, but there’s ‘always fear’ of renoviction.

Christopher Cheung / 5 Aug 2022


A Queer-Centred Development Moves Ahead in Vancouver’s Gay Village

A Queer-Centred Development Moves Ahead in Vancouver’s Gay Village

The 17-storey building is one of seven city-owned sites being developed into affordable housing. Our latest Hot, Hot Housing.

Jen St. Denis / 29 Jul 2022


Homeless by the Tracks and the Rising River

Homeless by the Tracks and the Rising River

Despite the dangers, many prefer sheltering in remote areas to being repeatedly displaced in a city.

Christopher Cheung / 22 Jul 2022


To Fund Repairs, BC Landlords Can Raise the Rent

To Fund Repairs, BC Landlords Can Raise the Rent

‘It really amounts to… a transfer of wealth from tenants to landlords,’ says one tenant advocate.

Jen St. Denis / 15 Jul 2022


What Does ‘Affordable’ Housing Even Mean Anymore?

What Does ‘Affordable’ Housing Even Mean Anymore?

To ease your headaches, some answers to FAQs.

Christopher Cheung / 8 Jul 2022


Where Does the New BC Liberal Leader Stand on Housing?

Where Does the New BC Liberal Leader Stand on Housing?

From rent control to the speculation tax, Kevin Falcon opens up. Our Hot, Hot Housing interview.

Jen St. Denis / 1 Jul 2022


A Burnaby Housing Corporation? ‘Everything’s On the Table,’ Says Mayor

A Burnaby Housing Corporation? ‘Everything’s On the Table,’ Says Mayor

Metro Van’s third-biggest city considers building a housing corp from scratch.

Christopher Cheung / 24 Jun 2022


The Data Shows Taxing Empty Homes Works

The Data Shows Taxing Empty Homes Works

BC’s speculation and vacancy tax returned 20,000 empty units to the rental market, says economist Tsur Somerville.

Jen St. Denis / 17 Jun 2022


Your Hot, Hot Housing Questions Answered

Your Hot, Hot Housing Questions Answered

Thanks for your queries. We break down everything from view cones to vacancy control in this week’s Hot, Hot Housing.

Christopher Cheung / 10 Jun 2022


What’s the Deal with Crowdfunded Housing Investment Sites?

What’s the Deal with Crowdfunded Housing Investment Sites?

To renters they pose opportunity or threat, depending on who you ask. The latest in Hot, Hot Housing.

Jen St. Denis / 3 Jun 2022


Will Vancouver’s Broadway Plan Hurt Renters?

Will Vancouver’s Broadway Plan Hurt Renters?

Not if council passes my amendment, says the mayor. We asked two renters’ groups if he’s right. The latest in Hot, Hot Housing.

Christopher Cheung / 27 May 2022


Is It Time for Renters to Unionize?

Is It Time for Renters to Unionize?

Tenant protections have fallen short in BC. Some say collective bargaining power is the solution. Our latest Hot, Hot Housing.

Jen St. Denis / 20 May 2022


Chinatown Needs Senior Housing. What’s In the Way?

Chinatown Needs Senior Housing. What’s In the Way?

For Chau Luen Society, the barriers literally grow out of a previous victory for the neighbourhood. The latest in Hot, Hot Housing.

Christopher Cheung / 13 May 2022


How SkyTrain Derails Affordable Housing

How SkyTrain Derails Affordable Housing

In Metro Vancouver, subway lines spawn pricey new units and benefit high-income people most. Can we even the scales? The latest in Hot, Hot Housing.

Jen St. Denis / 6 May 2022


Where Did Vancouver’s Children Go?

Where Did Vancouver’s Children Go?

New data show fewer kids in many neighbourhoods. What’s the impact? Where are families moving? The latest in Hot, Hot Housing.

Christopher Cheung / 29 Apr 2022


Why Can’t We Build Like It’s the 1970s?

Why Can’t We Build Like It’s the 1970s?

Between 1973 and 1994, Canada built 16,000 affordable homes a year. Why can’t we do that now? Our latest Hot, Hot Housing column.

Jen St. Denis / 22 Apr 2022


A ‘Wicked’ Problem: David Eby on Housing Fixes and Frustrations

A ‘Wicked’ Problem: David Eby on Housing Fixes and Frustrations

Time for the province to get tough? Our Hot, Hot Housing interview with the minister.

Christopher Cheung / 15 Apr 2022


Is Eby Going to Take Aim at NIMBYs Blocking Housing?

Is Eby Going to Take Aim at NIMBYs Blocking Housing?

The province has hinted at cutting councils’ control of housing projects. The UBCM says there’s no need. Our latest Hot, Hot Housing.

Jen St. Denis / 8 Apr 2022


Hippie Heritage: In Praise of the Rooming House

Hippie Heritage: In Praise of the Rooming House

Could this throwback be part of today’s affordable living solution? Our latest Hot, Hot Housing.

Christopher Cheung / 1 Apr 2022


Who’s Your Landlord? Use Our Helpful Guide to Find Out

Who’s Your Landlord? Use Our Helpful Guide to Find Out

Property ownership can be shrouded in mystery in BC. Our latest Hot, Hot Housing shows you how to lift the veil.

Jen St. Denis / 25 Mar 2022


Too Obsessed with ‘Character’ Homes?

Too Obsessed with ‘Character’ Homes?

What to do when nostalgic aesthetics block new housing? This week’s Hot, Hot Housing.

Christopher Cheung / 18 Mar 2022


The Pandemic Stalled Rents. Now They’re Climbing Again

The Pandemic Stalled Rents. Now They’re Climbing Again

Craigslist data shows rents are rising, along with home prices. The latest in our Hot, Hot Housing series.

Jen St. Denis / 11 Mar 2022


Hot, Hot Housing: A New Tyee Column

Hot, Hot Housing: A New Tyee Column

Today begins our weekly coverage of BC’s affordability crisis and ideas to address it.

Christopher Cheung and Jen St. Denis / 4 Mar 2022