Housing: what each party would do
What each of BC’s five parties has committed to on housing, with the rent increase limit for each year from 2003 to 2027, the speculation and vacancy tax as the law now sets it, and the province’s figures on housing starts and homelessness.
Party sites checked October 6, 2026
Each party on housing
BC Green
Raise Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters thresholds to $48,000 for singles and $53,000 for couples
Further increase the thresholds for Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters to provide greater monthly rental assistance for low-income seniors. The thresholds will be raised to $48,000 for single individuals and $53,000 for couples, ensuring more seniors qualify for support.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support seniors, October 4.
Build and protect 26,000 housing units per year
Immediately restart the Community Housing Fund and Indigenous Housing Fund, with a goal of building and protecting 26,000 housing units per year.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29. Also posted: Plan page, bcgreens.ca/our-plan.
Protect 2000 deeply affordable rental homes a year by increasing Rental Protection Fund funding
Protect 2000 deeply affordable rental homes each year, by increasing funding and support for the Rental Protection Fund.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
All BC Green commitments on housing Show three BC Green commitments
Apply vacancy control to assisted living, including the additional fees for services
Apply vacancy control to assisted living, including the additional fees for services, to protect seniors from rent increases and extra charges.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support seniors, October 4.
Reinstate the Community Housing Fund immediately
BC Green Party Leader Emily Lowan announced today that the BC Greens will protect renters by immediately reinstating the Community Housing Fund, implementing vacancy control, ending pet bans, among other supports.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29. Also posted: YouTube: Rights for Renters, September 29 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Rights for Renters (w/ Andrew Appleton & Sidney Coles), September 29.
Implement vacancy control, tying rent increases to the unit rather than the tenant
Implement Vacancy Control. Currently, rental increases are allowed once per year—unless there is a change of tenant. Vacancy control ties increases in rent to a unit, rather than a tenant, reducing the incentive for landlords to evict tenants without fault.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29. Also posted: Plan page, bcgreens.ca/our-plan · YouTube: Rights for Renters, September 29 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Rights for Renters (w/ Andrew Appleton & Sidney Coles), September 29.
End pet bans for renters
BC Green Party Leader Emily Lowan announced today that the BC Greens will protect renters by immediately reinstating the Community Housing Fund, implementing vacancy control, ending pet bans, among other supports.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29. Also posted: YouTube: Rights for Renters, September 29 · YouTube: Policy Announcement: Rights for Renters (w/ Andrew Appleton & Sidney Coles), September 29.
Restart the Indigenous Housing Fund immediately
Immediately restart the Community Housing Fund and Indigenous Housing Fund, with a goal of building and protecting 26,000 housing units per year.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
Develop management guidelines on pets in rentals
Instead, we will develop appropriate management guidelines on pets in rentals.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
Increase Rental Assistance Program and SAFER support for renters unable to afford market rentals
Increase direct support for renters unable to afford market rentals, through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
Allow renters an annual rent review through the Residential Tenancy Branch when city market rents decrease
Create a mechanism through the Residential Tenancy Branch to allow renters to seek an annual rent review when market rents in their city are decreasing.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
Fund Indigenous-led Complex Care Housing designed and determined by Indigenous communities
Provide adequate and equitable funding for Indigenous-led Complex Care Housing, designed and determined by Indigenous communities.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
Set aside trauma-informed housing allocations and supported Rent Supplements for Indigenous Peoples, guided by Indigenous organizations
This will include trauma-informed housing allocations and supported Rent Supplements set aside for Indigenous Peoples and administered in line with guidance from Indigenous organizations and communities, surrounded by supportive services.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
Pass responsibility for collecting and holding deposits to the Residential Tenancy Branch
Pass responsibility for collecting and holding deposits to the Residential Tenancy Branch.
bcgreens.ca: BC Greens announce plan to support renters, unveil two new candidates for South Island, September 29.
Make it easier and quicker to build all forms of housing
Build and protect 26,000 permanently affordable, non-market homes a year, and make it easier and quicker to build all forms of housing.
Plan page, bcgreens.ca/our-plan: Our Plan for British Columbia, bcgreens.ca.
BC NDP
Increase the speculation and vacancy tax from 1% to 2% domestic, 4% to 5% foreign
Eby says he will increase the speculation and vacancy tax by one percentage point, from 1% to 2% for domestic speculators and from 4% to 5% for foreign speculators.
bcndp.ca: Eby to turn more empty condos into homes people can afford, September 25.
Start the Unsold Condo Tax at 2%, rising 1% for each additional year unsold
Starting at 2 per cent, the tax will increase by 1 per cent for each additional year a condo remains unsold, pushing developers to sell finished homes at prices people can afford.
bcndp.ca: Eby to turn more empty condos into homes people can afford, September 25.
Crack down on speculators and developers who leave units vacant or unsold
David Eby has committed to take more action to crack down on speculators and developers who leave units vacant or unsold, turning them into homes British Columbians can afford.
bcndp.ca: Eby to turn more empty condos into homes people can afford, September 25.
All BC NDP commitments on housing Show three BC NDP commitments
Put any additional speculation and vacancy tax revenue into building more affordable homes
The change will help put more empty units into the long-term rental market, while any additional revenue will go to building more affordable homes people need.
bcndp.ca: Eby to turn more empty condos into homes people can afford, September 25.
Introduce an Unsold Condo Tax on finished condos left empty over a year
The BC NDP will also introduce a new Unsold Condo Tax on finished condos left empty for more than a year.
bcndp.ca: Eby to turn more empty condos into homes people can afford, September 25.
Build the infrastructure and homes B.C. needs
Build an economy free from the US, work with the Prime Minister to open new markets, build the infrastructure and homes B.C. needs, and grow industries while training British Columbians so they are first in line for skilled trades jobs with bigger paycheques.
bcndp.ca: David Eby launches election with plan to build B.C. strong amid Trump’s attacks, September 22.
CentreBC
Housing policy must be linked to actual affordability outcomes rather than just counting units
We must link housing policy to actual affordability outcomes rather than just counting units.
centrebc.ca, before the writ: Budget 2026: Managing Decline is Not Leadership, February 16, 2026.
Conservative
Bring down the cost of building and buying a home
A BC Conservative government led by Lorne Doerkson will bring down the cost of building and buying a home so more homes get built and families can afford to live in them.
conservativebc.ca: STATEMENT FROM LEADER LORNE DOERKSON ON THE NDP’S HOUSING TAX PLAN, September 25.
OneBC
Eliminate the Step Code and its green building requirements
Eliminate the Step Code that is raising housing costs with unnecessary green building requirements
Plan page, 1bc.ca/priorities: Our Plan, 1bc.ca/priorities.
Block municipal rent control programs
Block municipal rent control programs that disincentivize development and new units being put up for rent
Plan page, 1bc.ca/priorities: Our Plan, 1bc.ca/priorities.
The housing rules in plain words
The rent increase limit
- A landlord may raise the rent once every 12 months and must give at least 3 months of notice. Residential Tenancy Act, section 42; Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78
- The yearly limit is the inflation rate, measured as the 12 month average percent change in BC's all-items Consumer Price Index ending in July. The Act also allows an amount the tenant agrees to in writing, or an amount the director orders on a landlord's application. Residential Tenancy Act, section 43; Residential Tenancy Regulation, section 22; Residential Tenancy Regulation, B.C. Reg. 477/2003
- The 12 months run from the day the rent was set at the beginning of a tenancy, or from the last legal increase during that tenancy. Residential Tenancy Branch, rent increases page
The speculation and vacancy tax
- The speculation and vacancy tax is a yearly tax on residential property in designated areas of BC, worked out as a tax rate times the assessed value of the owner's share. Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act, section 14, page last updated December 31, 2025; Speculation and vacancy tax: taxable areas; Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act, SBC 2018, c. 46
- The rate for 2026 is 3% for foreign owners and untaxed worldwide earners and 1% for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are not untaxed worldwide earners. From January 1, 2027 the 3% rate becomes 4%. Speculation and vacancy tax rates page; Act, sections 15 to 17; Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act, SBC 2018, c. 46
- Owners in the taxable areas declare by March 31 each year. Exemptions for individuals include a home that is the owner's principal residence and a home occupied by a tenant. Speculation and vacancy tax: exemptions for individuals; Speculation and vacancy tax: how the tax works
Other rules the commitments name
- Short-term rentals are limited to the host's principal residence, plus one secondary suite or accessory dwelling unit on the same property, in municipalities of 10,000 people and over and smaller neighbouring communities. Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement
- Local governments had to update their bylaws by June 30, 2024 so that three to four units are permitted on each parcel zoned exclusively for single-family or duplex residential use. The page says the requirement applies "within urban containment boundaries and municipalities over 5,000 people". Small-scale, multi-unit housing page, on Bill 44 of 2023
- The BC Energy Step Code sets performance requirements for energy efficiency in new buildings. The requirements are grouped into Steps and the minimum Step rises every few years. BC Energy Step Code page, page last updated June 9, 2025
- A landlord may take a security deposit of up to half of one month's rent and holds it until the tenancy ends. Residential Tenancy Branch, deposits and fees page
- Whether pets are allowed is set by the landlord in the tenancy agreement. Residential Tenancy Branch, pets page
- SAFER is a rent supplement for lower income seniors renting in the private market. Its eligibility conditions include being age 60 or older and having a gross income of less than $40,000 annually. BC Housing, SAFER page
- The Community Housing Fund is a provincial program created in 2018 that helps build rental homes for people with low or moderate incomes. BC Housing, Community Housing Fund page
Housing figures
- Rent increase limit, 2027 Residential tenancies
- 2.2% Residential Tenancy Branch, rent increases
- Rent increase limit, 2026 Residential tenancies
- 2.3% Residential Tenancy Branch, rent increases
- Housing starts, 2025 Units, all of BC
- 44,193 Budget and Fiscal Plan 2026/27 to 2028/29, p. 96
- Housing starts, year to date to July 2026 Average, annualized units
- 41,368 First Quarterly Report 2026/27, p. 41
- Annual homelessness estimate, 2024 People in BC who experienced homelessness in the year, estimated from administrative data
- 32,986 Preventing and Reducing Homelessness Integrated Data Project
- Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, 2026/27 Operating expenses
- $1,712,826,000 Estimates, fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, p. 119
The tables
Rent increase limit by year
| Year | Rent increase limit |
|---|---|
| 2027 | 2.2% |
| 2026 | 2.3% |
| 2025 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3.5% |
| 2023 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1.5% |
| 2021 | 0% |
| 2020 | 2.6% |
| 2019 | 2.5% |
| 2018 | 4.0% |
| 2017 | 3.7% |
| 2016 | 2.9% |
| 2015 | 2.5% |
| 2014 | 2.2% |
| 2013 | 3.8% |
| 2012 | 4.3% |
| 2011 | 2.3% |
| 2010 | 3.2% |
| 2009 | 3.7% |
| 2008 | 3.7% |
| 2007 | 4.0% |
| 2006 | 4.0% |
| 2005 | 3.9% |
| 2004 | 4.6% |
| 2003 | 3.7% |
Housing starts in BC, units, 2024 to 2030
| Year | Housing starts (units) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 45,828 | |
| 2025 | 44,193 | |
| 2026 | 42,321 | forecast |
| 2027 | 43,691 | forecast |
| 2028 | 45,385 | forecast |
| 2029 | 46,830 | forecast |
| 2030 | 48,032 | forecast |
Source: First Quarterly Report 2026/27, September 14, 2026, p. 60.
Annual estimates of the homeless population in BC
| Year | Annual homelessness estimate | Homelessness per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 24,420 | 4.74 |
| 2020 | 24,178 | 4.67 |
| 2021 | 26,138 | 4.96 |
| 2022 | 28,899 | 5.35 |
| 2023 | 32,387 | 5.81 |
| 2024 | 32,986 | 5.79 |
Government of BC: “It is important to note that 2020 was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the estimates of homelessness because of reduced shelter usage.”
Source: Preventing and Reducing Homelessness Integrated Data Project.
Vacancy rates, apartment structures of six units and over, privately initiated, BC census metropolitan areas
| Census metropolitan area | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbotsford-Mission | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.8 |
| Kelowna | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 6.3 |
| Vancouver | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 3.7 |
| Victoria | 0.9 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 3.1 |
Statistics Canada: “Geographical areas modified every 5 years to reflect most recent census definitions, therefore, data are not strictly comparable historically.”
Average rents, two bedroom units, apartment structures of six units and over, dollars (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)
| Census metropolitan area | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 1,828 | 2,005 | 2,186 | 2,315 | 2,367 |
| Victoria | 1,578 | 1,706 | 1,847 | 2,001 | 2,127 |
| Kelowna | 1,475 | 1,692 | 1,805 | 1,935 | 2,118 |
| Abbotsford-Mission | 1,282 | 1,355 | 1,486 | 1,493 | 1,592 |
Statistics Canada: “Geographical areas modified every 5 years to reflect most recent census definitions, therefore, data are not strictly comparable historically.”
Sources: Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford-Mission (Table 34-10-0133-01, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, average rents for areas with a population of 10,000 and over).
Recorded votes
Second reading of Bill 70, Residential Tenancy Act: passed, 41 to 2
41 for 2 against 36 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 70, Residential Tenancy Act: passed, 64 to 1
64 for 1 against 14 did not vote
Second reading of Bill 45, Budget Measures Implementation (Speculation and Vacancy Tax) Act, 2018: passed, 43 to 40
43 for 40 against 4 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 45, Budget Measures Implementation (Speculation and Vacancy Tax) Act, 2018: passed, 43 to 39
43 for 39 against 5 did not vote
Second reading of Bill 43, Housing Supply Act: passed, 53 to 26
53 for 26 against 8 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 43, Housing Supply Act: passed, 80 to 0
80 for 0 against 7 did not vote
Second reading of Bill 35, Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act: passed, 67 to 2
67 for 2 against 18 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 35, Short-Term Rental Accommodations Act: passed, 51 to 23
51 for 23 against 13 did not vote
Second reading of Bill 44, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023: passed, 50 to 29
50 for 29 against 8 did not vote
Second reading of Bill 46, Housing Statutes (Development Financing) Amendment Act, 2023: passed, 50 to 22
50 for 22 against 15 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 44, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023: passed, 45 to 29
45 for 29 against 13 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 46, Housing Statutes (Development Financing) Amendment Act, 2023: passed, 44 to 28
44 for 28 against 15 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 47, Housing Statutes (Transit-Oriented Areas) Amendment Act, 2023: passed, 65 to 0
65 for 0 against 22 did not vote
Third reading of Bill 14, Tenancy Statutes Amendment Act, 2024: passed, 68 to 1
68 for 1 against 18 did not vote
Second reading of Bill 25, Housing and Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2025: passed, 48 to 44
48 for 44 against 1 did not vote
Keep comparing
Each party’s page, at housing
Sources
- Government of BC, Residential Tenancy Branch: Residential tenancies: rent increases, read October 6, 2026
- Residential Tenancy Act, SBC 2002, c. 78, read October 6, 2026
- Residential Tenancy Regulation, B.C. Reg. 477/2003, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: Speculation and vacancy tax: how the tax works, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: Speculation and vacancy tax: taxable areas, read October 6, 2026
- Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act, SBC 2018, c. 46, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: Speculation and vacancy tax: tax rates, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: Speculation and vacancy tax: exemptions for individuals, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: Short-term rentals: principal residence requirement, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: Small-scale, multi-unit housing, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: BC Energy Step Code, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, Residential Tenancy Branch: Residential tenancies: deposits and fees, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, Residential Tenancy Branch: Residential tenancies: pets, read October 6, 2026
- BC Housing: Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER), read October 6, 2026
- BC Housing: Community Housing Fund Program, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, Ministry of Finance: Budget and Fiscal Plan 2026/27 to 2028/29, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, Ministry of Finance: First Quarterly Report 2026/27, September 14, 2026, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC, Ministry of Finance: Estimates, fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, read October 6, 2026
- Government of BC: Preventing and Reducing Homelessness Integrated Data Project, read October 6, 2026
- Statistics Canada: Table 34-10-0127-01, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, vacancy rates, apartment structures of six units and over, privately initiated in census metropolitan areas, read October 6, 2026
- Statistics Canada: Table 34-10-0133-01, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, average rents for areas with a population of 10,000 and over, read October 6, 2026
- Statistics Canada: Table 34-10-0133-01, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, average rents for areas with a population of 10,000 and over, read October 6, 2026
- Statistics Canada: Table 34-10-0133-01, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, average rents for areas with a population of 10,000 and over, read October 6, 2026
- Statistics Canada: Table 34-10-0133-01, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, average rents for areas with a population of 10,000 and over, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, October 31, 2002, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 26, 2002, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, October 22, 2018, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 22, 2018, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 22, 2022, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 24, 2022, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, October 19, 2023, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, October 26, 2023, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 8, 2023, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 9, 2023, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 29, 2023, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 30, 2023, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, May 6, 2024, read October 6, 2026
- Legislative Assembly of BC: Votes and Proceedings, November 18, 2025, read October 6, 2026
- BC Green: bcgreens.ca/our-plan, checked October 6, 2026
- BC NDP: bcndp.ca, checked October 6, 2026
- CentreBC: centrebc.ca/our-policy, checked October 6, 2026
- Conservative: conservativebc.ca/plan, checked October 6, 2026
- OneBC: 1bc.ca/priorities, checked October 6, 2026