Kelowna vacancy rate near 7% - Unemployment 11%

Tom Dyas says the city is in 'uncharted territory' as the rental vacancy rate is 6.9%, the highest of any city in Canada. This goes with Kelowna's 11% unemployment rate, also the highest in Canada. Dyas's Kelowna is in economic freefall.

285 Dougall Road is a new rental build by Khalistani backed Troika Developments. Completed four months ago it is still half (or more) empty. This begs the question why a housing partnership between the City of Kelowna and Troika Developments for more terrible cheap quality, tiny wood frame shitbox condos is proceeding.

Troika applied for development permits for two city owned sites in Rutland and Glenmore. The city provides the land while Troika builds and manages the buildings. Projects are 129 wood frame units at Dougall Road North in Rutland, and 71 units on Glenmore Road. The vast majority are studio and one bedroom. The 'below-market' rental prices will be as follows: Studio - $1,250 One bedroom - $1,660 Two Bedroom - $2,040 Three bedroom - $2,370

'Eligible renters' will need a combined household income between $80k and $120k to pay no more than 30% of their income. Once development permits are approved, Troika will seek building permits and begin construction. According to CMHC, 1,300 new rental units were added to the rental pool in Kelowna in 2025.

Kelowna citizens (unlike the corrupt Tom Dyas) aren't stupid. Their comments sum it up ... "Dyas, pointing to several city programs and incentives"... The more government involvement there is, the more supply goes off kilter with demand. Governments should stick to their knitting. "Mayor Dumba&& can pat himself on the back all he wants, people can see through his bull crap word salad." "hey dyaas thousands of little studio shoe boxes for rent less than 300 square feet at a cost of $1700, where are all the Kelowna jobs to fill these low quality units?" "cost of a 350 sqft shoe box that no one actually wants to live in, takes up their entire income for the rent, so it becomes a choice, do i want to eat, or have a safe place to sleep and live"