Housing

Rentals in Vernon more expensive and harder to find, report suggests

VERNON - It’s a harsher market in Vernon for those looking to rent and a community outreach worker says it’s even worse than the statistics suggest. The vacancy rate of available rental units dropped to 3.4 per cent in April 2015, down from 4.1 per cent the same time last year, according to the Canada...

One homeless man’s long road to finding affordable housing in Vernon

“I HAD TO ASK FOR HELP. IT WAS EITHER THAT, OR I’D STILL BE HOMELESS” VERNON - For the last 10 years, Roy You has lived on and off the streets. He travelled far from the Splatsin First Nation reserve where he grew up, searching for work in different places, never staying long. Many nights...

Vernon offers new grant program with hope of expanding limited rental housing options

VERNON - Building a new rental unit in Vernon? There’s a grant for that. To combat a shortage of rental housing in the city, Vernon council has introduced a new grant program to encourage development. Up to $4,000 per unit is now available for the construction of rental complexes. The city hasn't seen the construction...

Kelowna’s housing prices will continue to climb in 2015

KELOWNA – It’s going to continue to be a seller’s market in Kelowna over the next year as low interest rates combine with low inventory to drive prices up. According to RE/MAX Housing Market Outlook Report, the 2015 average residential sale price in Kelowna rose seven per cent over 2014. Although that is one per...

HELSTON: A small act of kindness will go a long way this Christmas

I’ll admit it; I tend to get my back up when I'm asked for money. My instinct is to terminate the uncomfortable conversation as quickly as possible with a ‘no, not today’ or some other firm, but polite, way of communicating the cause is not getting my hard earned cash. But I’m going to tell...

Residents protest duplex development with signs

PENTICTON - Residents of Churchill Avenue have erected signs in protest of the development of a double-duplex on their street — an issue that will be discussed during a public hearing and Penticton city council meeting next week. The property at 701 Churchill Ave. is being developed by local developer Schoenne Homes. The development requires...

HELSTON: We should expect more from our MP

The Vernon mayor and our MP are duking things out in a war of words, sparring over the federal government’s role in reducing homelessness. But never mind the federal government, what is the role of our local MP? Colin Mayes, the Member of Parliament for the Okanagan-Shuswap riding, is our elected representative at the House...

Good luck finding a rental unit for under $645 in Vernon

VERNON - There aren’t many places you can rent in Vernon for $645. Only one residence could be found on Craigslist and Kijiji rental ads since June 1 for $645 or under. For that price, you don’t even get to see pictures of the interior. But why $645? It’s because a report released last week...

More development doesn’t mean more rentals

PENTICTON -  A recent study shows there are fewer rental units in Penticton than there were at this time last year, but can the city’s development department keep up with a shrinking rental availability? Anthony Haddad, the city’s director of development services said he hasn't received a lot of proposals for apartment buildings lately. However,...

Vernon vacancy rates plummet

VERNON - It’s harder to find a place to rent in Vernon this year, and in some cases, more expensive to secure one.  The spring 2014 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s spring rental market report is out and it says Vernon’s vacancy rate (percentage of available or unoccupied rental spaces) has plunged to 4.1 per cent...