Behind the Rising Costs of Housing: A Builder’s Perspective on Vancouver’s Civic Challenges

Housing affordability remains one of the most urgent civic issues facing Metro Vancouver today. As inflation outpaces income growth and demand for housing continues to rise, families across the region are feeling the squeeze. But behind the headlines and price tags lies a complex network of civic systems, policies, and local government decisions that influence what gets built, where, and how quickly.

To explore the intersection of civic responsibility and housing development, Skyrise Media Society recently hosted a vital conversation between volunteer host and mental health advocate Samira Gholami and Omid Ghaempanah, Co-founder and Co-Director at Axomm Construction. Their discussion highlights how systemic inefficiencies in municipal planning, inconsistent zoning regulations, and bureaucratic red tape contribute to the housing crisis in ways that often go unnoticed by the general public.

Samira opened the conversation by highlighting how inflation continues to rise while wages remain stagnant. “Affordable housing is nearly impossible in Vancouver, especially for families with two or more children,” she noted. “Apartments are getting smaller while prices go higher. It’s a reality many people are struggling with.”

From the builder’s point of view, Omid Ghaempanah shed light on the lesser-known barriers faced by those in the construction industry. He explained how long wait times for permits, paired with steep interest rates on loans that accrue even before projects begin, place significant financial strain on builders. “People don’t always realize how much time and money is lost before we even break ground,” he said.

Omid specifically pointed to the challenges of working across different municipalities in Metro Vancouver, particularly the North Shore, which includes both North Vancouver and West Vancouver, as well as Vancouver city itself. He noted the inconsistency in policies and permitting processes between cities, describing it as a major source of delay and confusion for developers. “Each municipality has its own system, its own timelines, and its own set of rules. In North Vancouver, you may face one set of zoning bylaws, while West Vancouver has a completely different framework. Then you go to Vancouver city, and it’s another challenge altogether,” he explained. “This lack of cohesion slows projects down and drives costs even higher.”

He also emphasized the financial burden created by development fees and city-imposed charges that further limit builders’ ability to create affordable housing. While he acknowledged that zoning reforms, particularly those intended to support density and streamline processes, are moving in a positive direction, he stressed that these efforts are still not enough.

“Builders want to be part of the solution,” Omid said. “We’re ready to build, we’re ready to contribute to housing goals, but we need the municipalities to come together and simplify the process. The current system is working against the very goal we’re all trying to achieve, which is creating more affordable homes.”

The conversation served as a reminder that housing affordability is not just about market prices. It is also about the behind-the-scenes policies, financial risks, and bureaucratic roadblocks that make it difficult to build.

Samira and Omid’s dialogue called for greater collaboration between policymakers and industry professionals to address the root causes of Vancouver’s housing crisis. Without strategic and timely changes, both builders and residents will continue to carry the burden.