Housing
and Rentals
Comparative
Taxes Fast Facts
Like
any thriving community, Fort Nelson is challenged
to keep up with the demand for housing of all
kinds and in all categories. The majority of
lands for development are in the hands of BC's Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB), and the Town and ILMB are working
hard to ensure new land is opened up as quickly
as possible - where and when it is needed.
Fort
Nelson saw many new homes built over 2003
and 2004, with the only available subdivision
filling in almost entirely by the end of '04.
Almost three times as many homes were built
in that two-year period as the previous two
years. Efforts are being made to attract investment
in new multi-family residential options, such
as apartment or townhouse complexes, but rental
accommodation is still difficult to secure.
New residents are urged to begin their search
for accommodation as soon as they possibly can,
to avoid frustration later on.
An apartment rental survey was performed by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism of the Northern Rockies Regional District in January of 2007. A total of 422 units out of 430 were surveyed, including 24 public and 406 private housing units. The survey included buildings with four or more legal suites and units renting for a minimum of three months and did not include single detached, duplexes, mobile homes, rooming houses and motel units. The current supply under renovation was 6 units.
TABLE I: Rental
Vacancy Rate - By Bedroom
| |
Bachelor
& 1 Bedroom |
2
Bedroom |
3
Bedroom & Larger |
Total |
| #
of Units |
189 |
155 |
72 |
416* |
| Units
Vacant |
13 |
12 |
6 |
31 |
| Vacancy
Rate (%) |
6.88% |
7.74% |
8.33% |
7.45% |
*416 is the total number of available apartment units - does not include 6 apartments under renovation or lived in by owner.
Table I represents the # of apartments available
for rent as of January 2007.
TABLE II: Average
Rental Rates - By Bedroom
| |
Bachelor & 1 Bedroom |
2
Bedroom |
3
Bedroom & Larger |
| Rate
Range |
$550 - $702 |
$700 - $850 |
$800 - $1300 |
| Average
Rate |
$680 |
$749 |
$966 |
Note: Average Rental Rates do not include public subsidized housing (Dorothy's Place and Grayling Apts.)
In
2005, construction continued on a brand new subdivision
of single-family homes. This development (Angus
ll Sub) will bring more than 80 new lots onto
the market for new home construction, with some
contruction already underway on Phase l. We
expect to see at least 25 of these homes completed
and available in 2006. This development is slated
for higher-end homes, and is located in the
community's northwest corner, close to schools
and recreation facilities.
As
well, there is a new R3 subdivision, zoned for
mobile and modular homes, located on the communities
east boundary. Construction is set to begin soon, and we hope to see some lots available
within this year.
For
those looking for rural living options, there
is existing property available for everything
from small acreage to hobby-farm size, and one
small rural residential strata/subdivision nearing completion
(directly adjacent to town boundaries). Through the Official Community Plan, plans are underway to release additional rural properties.
Number
of Dwellings: approximately 1700 (current as
of 2004)
Number of Apartment Units: 430
Owned versus rent: 65% owned, 35% rent (2001
census)
Average Rent: $681 Fort Nelson, $751 BC
Average Mortgage: $908 Fort Nelson,
$904 BC
