14,546 purpose-built rental homes were registered in British Columbia (BC), Canada, in 2022, the highest yearly total reached since BC Housing started collecting this data in 2002, according to the 2022 New Homes Registry Report. Compared with the same period in 2021, the number of registered rental units increased 10.8%. For context, in 2012, BC Housing recorded fewer than 2,000 new rental units registered.
The record number of purpose-built rental homes will help increase needed rental stock in British Columbia, the Province government reports.
“Our government is responding to the housing crisis by establishing the conditions needed to create a record number of purpose-built rentals started in 2022,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “In addition to these successful efforts to add much-needed rental homes, 2022 was another banner year for housing registrations overall. Together with the federal government, non-profits and the private sector, we recorded the second-highest number of new home registrations on record, adding crucial housing stock for individuals, families and seniors in B.C., including those moving to B.C.”
In total, 51,407 new homes were registered in B.C. in 2022. These include 9,037 single detached homes and 42,370 multi-unit homes. This total is slightly lower than 2021, which was the highest year on record.
Registered new homes data is collected at the beginning of a project, before building permits are issued, making it a leading indicator of housing activity in B.C.
