Government taxes and fees made up 29% of a new #Vancouver condo’s price in 2023. UDI is calling for a rethink of how we fund infrastructure. BC needs to reduce development costs and restore project viability to get more homes built. Read more: www.biv.com/news/real-es...

Housing experts urge B.C. to rethink development charges

U.S., U.K., Australia offer different approaches to paying for infrastructure

biv.com

When unlikely allies agree, govts should listen. UDI & Housing Central call for lower housing delivery costs. Land, construction, government fees, financing & delays are stalling projects across BC. Different sectors. Same problem. Fewer homes get built. Read the full release: shorturl.at/wXupf

Direct construction costs for typical #MetroVan housing projects rose 104% to 112% between 2014 & 2025, according to a new UDI & Altus Group study. The findings show how labour, materials, code, seismic & soil costs are affecting housing delivery. Read the study: udi.org/knowledge/re... #bchousing

A pause is welcome. A repeal is still needed. BC’s planned PST expansion on professional services would add costs to businesses, local governments, and housing delivery. The tax should not come back. UDI will keep advocating for policies that reduce the cost of delivery. #bcpoli

North Shore News@northshorenews.bsky.social · 2mo ago

B.C. Premier David Eby pauses PST expansion, adds $90M tariff relief package

Vancouver housing starts fell sharply in July compared with last year. While one month does not tell the whole story, it points to a larger issue: fewer projects are moving forward, and the cost to deliver new housing is still too high. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

42% drop in Vancouver housing starts prompts worry from development advocate | CBC News

Housing starts in Vancouver are down 42 per cent compared with last July — a signal, according to a development advocate, that it's become too costly to build new homes.

cbc.ca

Inclusionary zoning is sold as a no-cost way to deliver affordable housing. But it still has to be funded. Director of Policy & Advocacy, Jay Chadha, looks at what Portland learned the hard way & what @metrovancouverorg.bsky.social still has time to get right. www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

If You Want Inclusionary Zoning to Work, Fund It | Urban Development Institute

Inclusionary zoning is often presented as a no-cost way to deliver affordable housing. But affordability requirements still have to be funded. UDI’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, Jay Chadha, looks...

linkedin.com

B.C.’s middle class needs a real path to homeownership, not another complicated government program. In @vancouversun.bsky.social, UDI Board Chair Rick Ilich argues that governments should focus on practical tools that help people buy homes. Read the op-ed: vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e... 1/2

Opinion: B.C.'s middle class needs mortgages, not a government buyout of empty condos

Rick Ilich: If governments genuinely want to tackle housing affordability, they must pivot toward immediate structural reforms.

vancouversun.com

The proposed condo purchase program is not what we asked for; rather, we asked for simpler, more direct tools to support affordability & help new housing move forward. Broader GST relief, similar to what ON introduced, is the better path. Read the @timescolonist.bsky.social story shorturl.at/JCcNS

B.C. developers say they don't want a buyout for empty condos

The Urban Development Institute and others in the industry say they would rather see the province remove purchase taxes or cover part of the price.

timescolonist.com

CBC News covered UDI’s decision to cancel the 2026 Awards for Excellence amid one of the worst housing markets in decades. Projects are stalled, investment is constrained, and the impacts are spreading across the industy. Read more: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

'Worst housing market in decades': Non-profit development association in B.C. cancels awards event | CBC News

The Urban Development Institute is a national non-profit association representing thousands of individuals in the development industry. It just announced that its 42nd Awards of Excellence has been ca...

cbc.ca

Canada’s housing crisis is no longer just a land cost issue, a financing issue, or an approvals issue. Increasingly, it is also becoming a Building Code issue. 1/2

Bettering the Building Code

UDI's Jeff Fisher examines how Building Code changes are adding cost and complexity to housing delivery, and why affordability must be part of future reform.

linkedin.com

UDI will not be holding the Awards for Excellence in 2026. We are in one of the worst housing markets in decades. Projects are stalled, investment is constrained & job losses are spreading. A recognition event would be out of step w/the realities our members are facing. 1/3

On June 9, join us for a virtual luncheon w/Benjamin Tal. Get a data-driven breakdown of what’s shaping the market & what it means for development decisions. We’ll cover interest rates, capital flows, demand trends, timing & risk in this environment. Register: udibc.glueup.com/event/new-ma...

We are pleased to announce that Michael Drummond has been appointed CEO of UDI. He previously served as Executive Vice President before stepping into the Interim CEO role during one of the most critical periods in B.C.’s housing sector. 1/2

Major legislation affecting housing, infrastructure, and the economy requires transparent consultation with the people expected to implement and navigate it. “That is not how consequential legislation gets made.” — UDI Interim President and CEO Michael Drummond

Vancouver Sun@vancouversun.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Vaughn Palmer: NDP demand for non-disclosure pacts derails 'public' consultation vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...

When @ubcm.bsky.social, UDI, the MABC, AME, and ICBA all refuse to sign NDAs tied to proposed Heritage Conservation Act changes, it raises serious concerns about the process. Major legislation requires meaningful consultation and transparency from the start, not closed-door decision making.

BIV News@bivnews.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Get the insights you need for the Fraser Valley market in 2026. Panel: Michael Ferreira (Anthem Properties), Rick Johal (Zenterra Developments), Jamie Squires (Fifth Avenue Real Estate Marketing), Joe Varing (Varing Marketing Group). Early bird tickets until Dec 31 udibc.glueup.com/event/fraser...

BC’s development market may be facing headwinds, but the data shows a clearer path forward. @udibc.bsky.social welcomed Robert Hogue, Assistant Chief Economist at RBC for a timely discussion on what lies ahead for BC’s housing &development market. 1/4 #bchousing #realestatedevelopment #bcpoli

Our speaker lineup for @udibc.bsky.social January Forecast: Olga Ilich, Eric Carlson, Michael Audain, Jon Stovell These industry icons will share lessons from past market cycles and their outlook on the future of housing in BC. Over 85% sold. Reserve your seat here: udibc.glueup.com/event/januar...

Just announced: RBC's top housing economist, Robert Hogue is flying in from Toronto for this exclusive UDI event. As the industry braces for a tougher 2026, economic clarity will be critical & so will the depth of your network. RSVP here: udibc.glueup.com/event/econom... #vancouverre #bchousing

Economic Insights with Robert Hogue, Assistant Chief Economist of RBC | Urban Development Institute

What do rising population numbers, moderating inflation, and policy shifts mean for developers? Join Robert Hogue, Assistant Chief Economist at RBC, for an in-depth conversation on the economic trends...

udibc.glueup.com

ICYMI: At UDI’s luncheon with @davidebybc.bsky.social & Bob Rennie, UDI Board Chair Rick Ilich called out the policies and processes breaking B.C.’s housing system, and urged collaboration, accountability, and political courage to restore affordability. #bcpoli #bcre #bchousing #affordability

Staying compliant just got more complex. Get ahead of the changes shaping our industry. Join us Oct 7 for UDI’s Fall Tax & Legal Update webinar ✔️ #REDMA Pilot Program ✔️ Property Transfer Tax ✔️ State & Condition filings Oct 7 | 9:30–10:30 AM | Online Sign up: udibc.glueup.com/event/fall-t... #bcre

Rising costs, softening market, and a shifting rental landscape, the 2026 rent cap decision matters. UDI has submitted recommendations to the Province that reflect what it takes to keep purpose-built rental viable. #bcpoli #bchousing Read our submission: udi.org/knowledge/re...

UDI’s Most Anticipated Luncheon is Over 50% Sold Out @davidebybc.bsky.social returns to the UDI stage on Oct 3 for an exclusive conversation with Bob Rennie. He'll be talking housing, infrastructure & the economy. RSVP to reserve your seat udibc.glueup.com/event/a-conv... #bcpoli #bchousing #bcre

When development fees rise, so do home prices. In her latest op-ed for the @vancouversun.bsky.social UDI President & CEO Anne McMullin outlines how increased fees on builders are ultimately passed on to buyers, acting as a hidden tax on new housing. vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e... #bchousing

Opinion: Increased development fees translate to higher prices for new homebuyers

As these charges increase, developers will have to increase the price of housing to make it economically feasible to build

vancouversun.com

UDI’s Real Estate & Development (RaD) Management Program: Now available across BC! Pre-register by Sept 9 & save 10% Designed for professionals working in the development industry, this 9-course online program covers everything from pro formas to marketing. udibc.glueup.com/event/real-e...

Real Estate and Development (RaD) Management Program 25/26 | Urban Development Institute

The Real Estate and Development (RaD) Management Program is a nine-course education series that introduces participants to the key stages of real estate development in British Columbia. Designed for p...

udibc.glueup.com

Our last golf tournament of the year is coming up & it’s a good one. Join us Sept 16 at Northview Golf & Country Club for a day of food, prizes, industry connections & tailgate BBQ! Spots are almost gone. Grab your team & sign up! udibc.glueup.com/event/udi-fr...

We’re proud to share that @udibc.bsky.social President & CEO Anne McMullin has been named to the 2025 @bivnews.bsky.social #BC500 list. This recognition highlights her ongoing leadership in shaping housing policy across BC. We're grateful for her voice & impact on behalf of the industry. #BIVBC500

As rents and new home prices come down across B.C. we are working on reducing costs so we can continue to see new housing supply. Last week we announced deferral of Development Cost Charges for new homes. This week B.C. Hydro stepping up to lower costs and expedite new connections.🙌🏾

Adrian Dix@adriandix.bsky.social · last yr.

We've lowered the cost and sped up the timeline for new homes and businesses connecting to BC Hydro. 🔌 A simple connection to a new single-family home has dropped by more than 90% - from over $800 to now be as low as $64. 🏡 👉 news.gov.bc.ca/32550 @ravikahlon.bsky.social @udibc.bsky.social

Big move from the Province: ✔️ 25% of fees at building permit ✔️ 75% deferred until occupancy or 4 yrs ✔️ Surety bonds accepted This is a smart step that reflects what industry has been asking for. @udibc is at the table and will keep pushing for practical solutions. #bcpoli #bcre

Ravi Kahlon@ravikahlon.bsky.social · last yr.

We’ve heard from homebuilders across B.C. - they want to build homes, but rising costs are a challenge. Today, we’re making it easier to get homes built by development costs to occupancy with a 25% deposit up front. Lowering the costs of building much needed homes across BC🙌🏾