B.C. Releases Watch List of 10 Municipalities Struggling to Meet Housing Targets

Market Intelligence, Real Estate News | June 12, 2023

All but one location are in the Lower Mainland or Greater Victoria region. The specific targets for constructing buildings will be set during the summer.

The provincial government has released its first-ever list of municipalities where it plans to adopt a more assertive approach to setting elevated housing targets for local city halls. It has also warned of potential repercussions if they fail to comply.

Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon emphasized the crucial role of municipalities in tackling the housing crisis and building prosperous communities while unveiling the list.

“Municipalities are vital partners in addressing the housing crisis and fostering the development of thriving, economically sustainable areas,” he stated.

In the upcoming weeks, municipalities will meet with their staff to determine the specific details and parameters of the housing targets.

The named communities are:

Vancouver
West Vancouver
Port Moody
District of North Vancouver
Delta
Abbotsford
Victoria
Saanich
Oak Bay
Kamloops

Kahlon explained that the selection of the 10 communities was based on a comprehensive metric considering 10 factors. These factors included the quantity of affordable rentals, housing density, accessibility to amenities, and the length of waitlists for social housing.

Moving forward, the provincial government will collaborate directly with the municipalities to establish housing targets, which will be disclosed to the public. Subsequently, municipalities will need to demonstrate to the province the measures they have taken to achieve these targets throughout the remainder of 2023, using the newly implemented digital permitting processes.

Kahlon stated that if municipalities fail to address the housing issue adequately by early 2024, the provincial government may assume additional supervision over certain housing decisions. However, he did not offer specific details about this oversight.

Most Municipalities Support the Initiative

Several communities on the list expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the government to set and implement housing targets. Mayor Meghan Lahti of Port Moody, whose community maintained its population despite adding a rapid transit line, eagerly welcomed the chance to contribute the required number of housing units to meet growing demand.

Lahti emphasized opportunities to enhance housing diversity by including affordable and seniors’ housing, as well as units suitable for accessibility and families.

However, not all communities are fully supportive. West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager, whose community often debates population growth and development, expressed a cautious stance. He preferred a wait-and-see approach and highlighted the need to enhance housing opportunities for various individuals, such as employees, school district staff, and essential service workers. He emphasized the importance of ensuring occupied homes rather than constructing vacant ones and expressed a desire for more specific details about the proposed initiatives.

With files from the CBC.