CKPG File Image
HOUSING

How Liberal election promises could affect the housing market

Oct 4, 2021 | 5:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – As the reality of another Liberal minority government settles in, some of their campaign promises are starting to draw the attention of experts.

Canadians coast to coast to coast looking to buy a home ever since the COVID boom heated up the market, have faced increased difficulty.

Not only have housing prices not only in major metro centres seen massive jumps in price, but also in Prince George. the average price of a single-family detached home in August was up over $50k from the same time last year.

When the Liberals campaign promises are taken into account, that picture could change.

“I think the very helpful one is encouraging more construction that would, in the long run, improve affordability, but would basically do nothing in the short run,” said Tom Davidoff, UBC real estate expert. “The way they could affect the market quite a bit in the short run would be a variety of steps they’re thinking about to make it easier for first-time buyers.”

Davidoff did note the help for first-time homebuyers could backfire if there isn’t enough inventory to field the increase in demand.

In Prince George, the starter level single-family detached homes in the $300k-$400k range are some of the highest in demand.

Davidoff says an even larger surge for those homes could easily drive prices through the roof.

Political Science Instructor Chris Beach says with the billions of new spending promised by the Liberals eventually taxpayers will be on the hook for the bill, that is if the party is able to pass their promise on Parliament Hill.