The Province has identified the next set of priority communities to receive housing targets for the next five years, as part of its commitment to build more homes for people. These communities are in high-growth, high-need regions of B.C., where many communities are taking action to deliver more homes quicker.
Housing Crisis
Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, said, “We are addressing the housing crisis with our municipal partners so thousands more affordable homes can be built for people who need them.”
Housing Supply Act
The Province introduced the Housing Supply Act in 2023 and established housing targets for the first 10 priority municipalities, based on areas of greatest need and highest projected growth. Twenty additional priority municipalities have been identified.
Priority Municipalities
The next 20 priority municipalities identified to receive housing targets are:
- Central Saanich
- Chilliwack
- Colwood
- Esquimalt
- Kelowna
- City of Langley
- Maple Ridge
- Mission
- Nanaimo
- New Westminster
- North Cowichan
- North Saanich
- City of North Vancouver
- Port Coquitlam
- Prince George
- Sidney
- Surrey
- View Royal
- West Kelowna
- White Rock
The Province will monitor progress and work with these 20 municipalities to achieve their targets, which will be announced this summer.
Quick Housing Approvals
Municipalities are taking action to approve housing quicker through the implementation of provincial legislation to allow small-scale multi-unit housing, designated Transit-Oriented Areas, updated Official Community Plans and streamlined local-development approval processes, as well as standardized housing designs that will be available this year.
Many provincial investments in infrastructure and below-market housing prioritize these high-growth, high-need communities and work to align provincial goals with municipal goals.
Resources and Supports
To help facilitate implementation of these initiatives and the housing targets, the Province will continue to provide local governments with a range of resources and supports, such as:some text
- The historic $1-billion Growing Communities Fund to help 188 local governments address population growth
- $10 million for a second intake of the Local Government Development Approvals Program
- $51 million in grant-based funding to support activities or projects, such as updating existing zoning bylaws, housing needs reports and official community plans
Homes for People Action Plan
The Housing Supply Act is part of the Province’s Homes for People action plan to deliver more homes in B.C., building on B.C.’s $19-billion housing investment and the introduction of effective tools to tackle speculation and increase the number of rentals.
Source: BC Gov News
