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Saanich’s Hosuing Needs Report, Saanich’s Housing Targets, and disaggregated vacancy rates show there’s unmet Hosuing needs. It’s not job done, it might be a challenging economic environment, but it’s a sure sign there is a lot more work to do on housing in Saanich and our Region!

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Another problem is the vacancy rate is not the same for every size of unit. Saanich and the region desperately needs more 2-bed and 3+ bed units that are suitable for families! The vacancy rate for 3+ bedroom homes is effectively 0%!

Rent would soften more, but a lot of the rental supply is very new and therefore more expensive than older units. We went essentially 30 years without building rental housing so there’s a lot to catch up on! Saanich took until 2024 to have more rental units than it did in 1991…

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A healthy vacancy rate means demand is still strong but renters have more choice. This helps prices softened a bit overall.

Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

3-5% Vacancy is considered to be a healthy housing market for both renters and rental providers. This is pretty much the first time since the mid 1990’s that we have had a healthy vacancy rate!

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An annual reminder of the budget choices local governments have. The beautiful thing is that the best way to reduce budget pressure and tax increases is to meet our communities housing needs and make neighbourhoods more walkable by allowing commercial uses.

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

For more than a decade, this site sat as a hole in the ground, contributing nothing to the community except uncertainty and unease. The original proposal simply wasn’t economically viable. That’s why community plans today must account for real-world economics, not arbitrary designations.

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Saanich Council has approved 125 housing units at McKenzie and Rainbow. Close to transit, shops, parks,schools, and active transportation connections. A cantilevered sidewalk will make sure that we deliver a sidewalk AND protect 8 significant Garry Oaks while delivering the housing people need!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

I’m honoured to have been returned as Chair of the Capital Region Housing Corporation for a fourth year. Thank you to my colleagues on the CRHC Board for your confidence & collaboration. Together, we’ll keep advancing the delivery of more affordable housing to the region!

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The short answer to whether there are easy to cut or delay board directed initiatives is no. Most budget increases come from the cost of core service delivery.

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See the breakdown on the projected requisition increase for your community in Column D

An area of concern, and future budget pressure, is the drawing down on CRD reserve funds. It is wise that there are annual transfers to reserves and the CRD has used debt strategically to smooth out costs for taxpayers. Transfers to reserves need to be increased going forward.

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CRD staff, based on board direction, looked to reduce the increase this year from potential double digits down to 6.3%, 4.7% if you exclude municipal debt (which is owned by each individual local government but flows through the CRD).

Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

This is why delaying necessary projects is not fiscally responsible. This graph shows CRD budget projections from 2026-2030. Every year, based on board direction staff work hard to reduce expenditures where possible while continuing to deliver the services residents expect.

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This is part of building back better!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

When a single car crash can gridlock Greater Victoria, it shows the fragility of autocentricity. Walkable neighborhoods, safe cycling routes, and rapid & reliable transit aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re resilience. They give people options, cut congestion, and keep the city moving!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Where are SSMUH applications located in Saanich? 100% are within the Urban Containment Boundary. Most are within or proximate to primary growth areas. Others are close to parks and schools, perfect for families!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

Where is SSMUH implementation at in Saanich? Since the bylaw was approved June 2024 are shown in the chart below. 56% of applications are to build duplexes. 9.5% are for triplexes

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Saanich named ‘Best of the City’ by Greater Victoria residents! Several of Saanich’s community facilities topped the polls as well!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

Prices are stable, hopefully this gives incomes a chance to catch up a bit!

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Zac de Vries @zacdevries.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

While some housing markets have become (slightly) buyers markets the CRD appears to be balanced.