(CFJC Today/File photo).

By Stephanie Swensrude

New homes registration

New home registrations in B.C. up nearly 70 per cent last year

Jan 13, 2022 | 1:30 PM

BRITISH COLUMBIA — New home registrations increased by 67.5 per cent in 2021, according to a report from BC Housing.

The report says 53,189 new homes were registered in B.C. last year, the highest yearly total since B.C. started collecting this data in 2002.

“The numbers show that together we can respond to the more than 25,000 new people who moved to B.C. in the last three months looking for homes, and the thousands more who we know are still coming,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing.

All new homes in the province must register with B.C. Housing before permits are issued and construction begins. This, according to B.C. Housing, makes this data a leading indicator of housing activity in B.C.

“This report shows that we can meet the challenge to increase the supply of desperately needed rental homes for individuals, families and seniors in B.C., if cities partner with us to get building permits issued quickly for these registered units,” said Eby.

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About one-quarter of the new homes registered were purpose built rentals, an increase of nearly 50 per cent from last year.