VICTORIA, B.C.: The B.C. NDP Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Christine Boyle, has claimed that it is becoming more affordable to rent in B.C., and is celebrating NDP accomplishments in building affordable housing. But the reality of rental prices in B.C. remains quite troubling.
“Despite Minister Boyle’s rosy statement, rental prices have actually increased in B.C. since the NDP came into power in 2017, and the factors that are causing a short-term decrease in some rental prices should be warning signs for B.C.’s economy,” said Linda Hepner, Conservative Critic for Housing.
Since 2017, when the NDP formed government, average rents have more than doubled. The average rent for a one-bedroom unit has increased by:
- 236% in Kelowna
- 235% in Surrey
- 228% in Victoria
- 228% in Kamloops
- 221% in Vancouver
- 171% in Prince George
- 147% in Abbotsford
“The short-term decreases in rental prices, which still remain too high, come not from responsible housing policy from the NDP, but from policy failures that will harm British Columbians in the long-term,” said Hepner. “One of the main contributing factors for rent decline is the fact that thousands of British Columbians are leaving the province after being priced out of a future and so demand for rental units is lowering.”
“But this decrease will be short-lived, as the suspension of the Community Housing Fund and the struggles of the housing industry resulting from regulations, taxes, and cost increases will cause prices to rise again,” said Hepner. “Minister Boyle needs to take off the rose-coloured glasses and start looking at the reality British Columbians are facing.”
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Francesca Guetchev, Press Secretary
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
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