Changes to housing laws are creating unintended outcomes. We were promised affordability and homes for people. We got profit for housing development companies, shrinkflation, and gentrification.
Victoria News published letters by Jessica Van der Veen (June 1, 2025), Nathalie Chambers (Jul. 18, 2025), and others. Jessica wrote, "Next door, a single-family home is being … subdivided into four three-bedroom, $1.5-milliion townhouses." Sasha Izard's petition "Repeal (or amend) BC Bill 44 to Restore Public Hearings and Municipal Powers over Zoning" on change.org addresses the issues and has over 4400 signatures.
In Sidney, a Richmond development company wants to build an out-of-character fourplex on our street. This isn't a neighbour creating affordable family homes. It’s a corporation making a profit on luxury rentals. A property assessed at $967k will be split into four parts, which will still cost $1.09 million each. That's shrinkflation. It will inflate already inflated assessments and increase municipal taxes and utilities. That's the start of gentrification. Where will seniors and others on fixed incomes go? These numbers don't even consider the insurance system. If we experience 'the big one' with our clay soil, insurers would now need to pay for a $4.34 million fourplex. Is our insurance system ready?
We should see B.C.-built tiny homes on that lot with a common green space. Residents could still grow gardens and eat in an emergency. If a tiny home costs $100k, residents could buy an affordable starter home for $310.5k. Why isn't that happening? What went wrong? How can we fix it?
Bruce Smith
Sidney
