Building & Industry News
AVICC Housing Panel a Success
Last week, we attended the housing panel and trade show at the convention for the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC). AVICC represents municipalities, regional districts and other local governments of Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast,...
Victoria Posts 94.5% Housing Decline Year-to-Date
According to CMHC, there has been a 94.5% decline in Victoria housing starts with only 13 units from January to March this year vs 240 in 2023. This will likely reverse in the next couple of months because the municipality is the home of large multis and one project...
Opportunity to Discuss Housing at AVICC
On April 12, VRBA is participating in the housing panel and trade show at the convention for the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC). AVICC represents municipalities, regional districts and other local governments of Vancouver Island,...
Housing Starts Decline 40% as Govt Fees Rising
According to CMHC, 2024 has started with a 40% decline in Greater Victoria housing starts year to date January - February. The total is 457 in 2024 vs 763 in 2023. So far this year, there are 369 units from large multi-family projects, 42 single family and 46...
Colwood Updating Environmental Development Permit Areas Bylaw
Colwood is updating Environmental Development Permit Areas Bylaw and has sent out a survey. Haven't been consulted? Probably because you (like VRBA) are not on Colwood's select list of preferred contacts. Here is the survey. Give them your opinion anyway. Here is the...
Province’s Soil Regulation Boosts Housing Costs
On May 11, 2022, we wrote to David Eby, then Minister Responsible for Housing, regarding the lack of affordable landfill sites for dumping clean soil in Greater Victoria. The costs of excavation for new housing have been steadily rising, as more regulations are...
Seismic Fault in Saanich Underlines Need for Renovation Rebate
Scientists have discovered an earthquake fault running under Elk Lake, across the Pat Bay Highway and into Cordova Bay. Radiocarbon dating determined a 6.1 to 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred several thousand years ago. That’s recent in geological terms and...
2024 CARE Awards – Call for Entry
The Victoria Residential Builders Association (VRBA) announces the Call for Entry for the 2024 Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence (CARE) Awards of Vancouver Island. The CARE Awards is the premier industry event celebrating Canada’s leaders in...
VRBA Annual Golf Tournament – May 29
Connect with VRBA members and promote your product or service at VRBA’s Annual Fun Golf Tournament at Olympic View on Wed, May 29th! You do not have to be a VRBA member to register as a golfer or to be a sponsor. ONLY $225/golfer: see the attached for registration and...
Let the Market Work and Save Taxpayers Billions
The BC government introduced a $7.9 billion budget deficit with promises to build housing for the middle class. Spending taxpayers’ money to build middle-class housing is unnecessary. Just let the market work. Premier Eby claims the housing crisis is a “failure” of...