Updated - July 18th, 2023 Whether you’re looking to downsize in your golden years, saving up for a six-figure down payment, or just enjoying that “wacky time of life” it’s no secret that it’s hard to find a home to rent in our city. That’s why Hannah and I have built this page to track... Continue Reading →
City Duo’s Guide to Moderate Income Rental Housing – All you Need to MIRHPP
Last Updated: January 12th, 2024 - Noted that a development permit has been filed for 3233-3245 Fraser Street- That the 4683 Arbutus Street enquiry has been abandoned- Added a 14 floor building submitted at 700-726 Kingsway that failed to move ahead.- That the homes at 444 Kootenay have been cleared for occupancy- Noted that the rents of... Continue Reading →
January 23rd, 2024 Public Hearing – Mass Timber Rental Homes Plead For A Holy Relaxation
Public Hearing – January 23rd, 2024 - 6:00pmUpdate : As city council was unable to finish the meeting before 10pm, they voted to recess and resume it on January 30th at 3pm. At that point, they will hear from public speakers, as well as debate, and decide the fate of Item #4. Items #1-3 were approved... Continue Reading →
A Year Of Mystery Beckons As A Silent 2023 Comes To An End
Normally Darren and I indicate the start of our winter pause with an end of year recap set just before Christmas, but we are a little late. That has really been the story for us this year, as we struggle to adjust to a world where in-person events are far less frequent. From our understanding,... Continue Reading →
December 14th, 2023 Public Hearing – Continued Commercial Clearcutting Threatens Cedar Place
Public Hearing – December 14th, 2023 - 1:00pm As this is the last public hearing of the year, Hannah and I had assumed its agenda would be a relatively quiet one. Certainly the first item, an application under the Secured Rental Policy for a five-floor building across from the oldest remaining BC Housing site in... Continue Reading →
December 12th, 2023 Public Hearing – A Silent Night Uncovers Vancouver’s Suppressed Potential
Public Hearing – December 12th, 2023This is a weird public hearing for Hannah and I to summarize as the province’s recently approved housing legislation means it’s possible none of the items on this agenda will ever be built. Granted, Item #1 is a policy amendment that seeks to modernize and allow greater flexibility in the... Continue Reading →
November 16th, 2023 Public Hearing – Development Industry Lobbyist Inspires An Unintended Rental Housing Reception
Public Hearing – November 16th, 2023Two years ago, dozens of letters flooded city council as supporters and opponents of a six floor rental application on Arbutus Street clashed over their community’s future. Yet on today’s agenda Item #1, a five floor rental building on the block directly to the north has barely drawn a peep.... Continue Reading →
November 14th, 2023 Public Hearing – Moderate Income Rental Homes Leave Some Seeing Red
Public Hearing – November 14th, 2023 – 6:00pm In a week where city council will explore whether to create more homes near parks, under-capacity schools, city-owned lands, and even in Shaughnessy, the biggest news came from Victoria. By now, most British Columbians probably know about the new provincial legislation to allow buildings of up to... Continue Reading →
October 17th, 2023 Public Hearing – Real Estate Insiders Push To Protect Vancouver’s Unqiue Cul-De-Sac Character
Public Hearing – October, 17, 2023 – 6:00pm As one of our cats has fallen critically ill within the last few days, I hope you’ll forgive Hannah and I if this post is a little more unpolished than usual. Thankfully, this hearing’s agenda is almost entirely comprised of simplified rental buildings under the Secured Rental... Continue Reading →
September 28th, 2023 Public Hearing – Kitsilano Rental Homes Hope To Overcome Nextdoor’s Nightmare
Public Hearing – September, 28th, 2023 – 1:00pm After recently spending eight hours listening to people debate the merits of letting homeowners transform their dwellings into multiplexes, it’s no wonder city council scheduled a lighter agenda this week. At least that’s my guess, as Hannah thinks it might be related to the Director of Planning’s... Continue Reading →
September 12th, 2023 Public Hearing – A Nine Year Delay Wins East Van Rental Homes A Moment Of Silence
Public Hearing – September 12th, 2023 - 6:00pm In many ways, this public hearing feels like a warm-up for things to come, and not just because it’s the first one after city council’s annual summer vacation. That doesn’t mean small amendments like Item #1 aren’t important, given the needs of the educational programs at Vancouver... Continue Reading →
A Growing Moderate Income Rental Housing Revolution Returns To West Point Grey
4545 West 10th Avenue - Second Enquiry (Archived Link)One does not have to be an expert at ranking well… pretty much everything, to know that out of all our city’s retail nodes, the West Point Grey Village is suffering the worst. As a UBC alumni myself, I watched that decline everyday for years as store... Continue Reading →