Housing

Parksville council approves substantial housing development despite concerns

PARKSVILLE - In the end, densifying a wooded lot envisioned by the City of Parksville for a more intensive use won out over widespread localized grievances. During a Monday, Dec. 4 meeting, councillor...

Dec 04, 2023

'They cry when they get a key to a new home:' north Nanaimo affordable housing complex opens

NANAIMO - Lower cost housing options for nearly 90 people in the city's north end are ready to put a small dent in the widening affordability crisis. Operated by Ballenas Housing Society (BHS), around...

Alex Rawnsley Dec 04, 2023

Parksville & Qualicum Beach to be added to provincial speculation tax

NANAIMO - A tax aimed at freeing up non-primary homes in the province for rental purposes will be expanded to 13 communities, including Parksville and Qualicum Beach.On Wednesday, Nov. 22, the ministr...

Nov 22, 2023

Parksville pitches short-term rental legislation exemptions, seeks clarity on pending new rules

PARKSVILLE - Proposed adjustments have been formalized by the City of Parksville with the hope of excluding certain areas of the community from proposed short-term rental (STR) regulations.A recently ...

Nov 10, 2023

Multi-family housing proposal draws concerns at Parksville public hearing

PARKSVILLE - Several area residents are opposed to converting a wooded single-family zoned lot near Wembley Mall into a dense multi-family development.Seven people, most of whom declared living in the...

Alex Rawnsley Nov 06, 2023

Councillors and staff voice concerns about lack of shelter beds and funding in Nanaimo

NANAIMO - With temperatures noticeably crisper and rain falling regularly, worries are rising in Nanaimo about a lack of local shelter spaces. A conversation centered around no current daytime warming...

Oct 23, 2023

Traffic concerns remain amid strong support for expansive south Nanaimo development

NANAIMO - The first two of many steps towards an expansion of the Cinnabar Valley and Chase River neighbourhoods were taken this week.City Councillors voted 7-2 in favour of first and second reading f...

Oct 20, 2023

Provincial legislation introduced to regulate short-term rentals in B.C.

NANAIMO - Citing depleting long-term rental stock due to sharp growth in the short-term rental (STR) market, the province introduced legislation which would vastly alter how the sector operates in B.C...

Oct 16, 2023

City council to review submissions to develop Nanaimo's Jean Burns building site

NANAIMO - City councillors are soon expected to examine ideas pitched by the development community for a strategic downtown lot. An expression of interest (EOI) process in place for about two months e...

Daryl Major Oct 03, 2023

'We're here to help:' Habitat 4 Humanity welcomes newest Nanaimo family

NANAIMO - A successful transition out of non-market housing to make room for another family is the kind of cycle Habitat 4 Humanity hopes to see more of.In order for the vision to meaningfully take sh...

Sep 23, 2023