Who Can Afford a Home in BC Now? Not the People Who Built This Province

 By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

I recently read that you need a $125,000 salary to buy a home in BC. My first thought? Who actually makes that kind of money? Because I sure don’t—and most people I know never have.

Let me take you back.

In 1999, I was working a tech job, doing night shifts and overtime. I earned around $45,000—a decent wage for the time. But after taxes, nearly $10,000 was gone. I was working hard, sacrificing sleep, and still barely getting ahead.

Fast forward a few years, I worked as a nanny—an essential, caring job—and made about $24,000 a year. Try living on that in Vancouver today. Many people are lucky if they make $30,000 or $40,000 working full-time. And now we’re told we need $125,000 just to buy a modest home?

How Did We Get Here?

It didn’t used to be like this.

In the '80s and '90s, you could earn a working-class wage and eventually buy a home, even in cities like Vancouver. A single income household could sometimes manage. You didn't need to be rich—you just needed stability, hard work, and a little luck.

Now, even two full-time incomes aren’t enough.

This shift didn't happen overnight. Housing became a commodity, not a human right. Global investors, financial speculation, unchecked development, and policies that ignored everyday people led to a system where only the wealthy—or the already-housed—can win.

Add in Trump’s trade war, pandemic inflation, rising interest rates, and the cost of everything from lumber to lettuce shot up. Our wages didn’t keep up. And people like me—artists, caregivers, workers, parents—were left behind.

Newcomers: You’re Not Alone

If you’re new to BC and struggling, I see you. You may be wondering why everyone seems to have it so good—while you’re hustling just to make rent.

The truth is, many long-time residents are struggling too. We remember a time when this place was livable. But over the decades, it’s become a province that rewards speculation, not contribution

What Can We Do?

We need to:

Tell our stories. The truth gets buried under glossy developer ads and government spin.

Push for policy change. Real rent control, better wages, and non-market housing.

Support each other. Community matters now more than ever.

Housing shouldn’t be a dream only for the rich. It’s a basic need—and we all deserve dignity.

Have a story about housing in BC?  Let’s raise our voices—together.