August 13th, 2024

As noted in previous newsletters, on July 30th, 2024, the Ministry of Housing announced the targets for the next group of 10 municipalities previously identified in April. The targets are to deliver a certain number of housing units over the next five years based on an empirical index.  

The following municipal targets were set last week:   

• Colwood – 940 
• City of Langley – 1,844 
• Mission – 1,798 
• New Westminster – 4,432 
• North Cowichan – 1,233 
• North Saanich – 419 
• Port Coquitlam – 2,279 
• Prince George – 1,803 
• View Royal – 585 
• West Kelowna – 2,266 

A total of 17,599 homes are expected to be delivered by the third set of communities, representing a 58% increase in overall housing to be built when compared to historical trends. Municipalities will be evaluated after six months, then every year, on their progress toward achieving the housing targets. The Province will monitor progress and work with the municipalities to support them in achieving their targets. 

In addition to the targets, the Province has sent each of the 10 municipalities a list of housing guidelines that recommend the number of units by size (one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom), rental versus owned units, below-market rental units, and units with on-site supports. These guidelines include more than 4,200 below-market rentals. 

Municipalities are also encouraged to explore and strengthen partnerships with First Nations communities to support and deliver housing projects on First Nations lands. All actions taken to support the delivery of more housing will contribute to the evaluation of progress toward meeting targets. 

The Province’s Housing Supply Act came into effect in 2023, which enabled government to establish housing targets for communities based on areas of greatest need and highest projected growth. The initiative is part of the Province’s Homes for People action plan to deliver more homes in B.C., building on its $19-billion housing investment. 

July 3rd, 2024

On June 26th, 2024, the Ministry of Housing announced the targets for the next group of 10 municipalities previously identified in April. The targets are to deliver a certain number of housing units over the next five years based on an empirical index. The following municipal targets were set last week: 

• Central Saanich – 588 units 
• Chilliwack – 4,594 units 
• City of North Vancouver – 3,320 units 
• Esquimalt – 754 units 
• Kelowna – 8,774 units 
• Maple Ridge – 3,954 units 
• Nanaimo – 4,703 units 
• Sidney – 468 units 
• Surrey – 27,256 units 
• White Rock – 1,067 units 

Targets for the third group of municipalities that were also announced this April are expected to be released later this summer. 

Also included in the announcement was a progress update for the first group of municipalities to receive housing targets under the Housing Supply Act last year. Based on the six-month interim report two municipalities have met or are close to meeting their first-year targets, while several others have not yet reached 50% of their target. 

• Victoria – 114% of 659 units 
• Port Moody – 90% of 231 units 
• District of North Vancouver – 78% of 499 units 
• Kamloops – 45% of 679 units 
• Saanich – 44% of 440 units 
• Abbotsford – 39% of 1,022 units 
• Vancouver – 31% of 5,202 units 
• Delta – 22% of 514 units 
• District of West Vancouver – 18% of 220 units 
• Oak Bay – 12.5% of 56 units 

The Housing Supply Act gives the government the authority to take compliance measures for municipalities that do not meet their annual targets. 

June 4th, 2024

Future Expansion of Housing Supply Act (HSA) Targets 

In 2023, the Ministry of Housing was given the authority under the Housing Supply Act and Housing Supply Regulation to establish housing targets for local governments. Municipalities that have housing targets must report their progress annually, and “If a municipality can’t meet their target, the Minister of Housing may appoint an advisor to review the municipality’s progress and make recommendations. As a last resort, the B.C. government may issue a directive to require the municipality to enact or amend a bylaw or accept or reject a permit to help meet the target.” 

The Ministry has been taking a phased approach to implementing the legislation and has been selecting local governments for HSA targets through “… an empirical index  of housing need.” The targets for the first ten selected municipalities were announced last year.  

In April of this year, they announced “The next 20 priority municipalities identified to receive housing targets.” Through their 2024/25 – 2026/27 Service Plan, the Ministry has indicated the following schedule for the number of municipalities that will be receiving housing targets under the HSA.   
 

May 7th, 2024

On April 23rd, 2024 the Ministry of Housing announced that 20 new communities would be receiving Housing Targets under the Housing Supply Act. These municipalities are spread across the Province and consist of: 

• 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; and 
• White Rock. 

The actual target amounts will be released later this year after engagement between the Province and the municipalities. 

The initial 10 municipalities were announced this time last year and are now beginning to submit interim progress reports. For more details about the Housing Supply Act and housing targets, read our UDI Spotlight on the topic.