Whereas BC local governments are now required to do a Housing Needs Assessment every five years, and these Assessments are now showing that there is a lack of affordable housing in communities across BC; And whereas the most recent UBCM Housing Report shows that development is increasing at the rate of the population growth; And whereas housing remains under the provincial jurisdiction with BC Housing is responsible for the Provincial strategic housing action plan; And whereas the rising cost of housing is making homeownership impossible for low income households: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the Province of BC to ask that BC Housing develop strategies including, but not limited to, building incentives for rural, remote and northern communities, so as to entice affordable housing in all areas of the Province.
Ministry of Housing The Province is looking at innovative ways of increasing the supply of affordable housing. Local governments are encouraged to partner with BC Housing and can do this in a variety of ways, including providing city-owned land or waiving development cost charges. BC Housing works to achieve regional equity for housing programs. Over 60 per cent of Building BC projects have been located outside Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District. While all Building BC programs are fully allocated for this year, BC Housing welcomes conversations regarding future funding opportunities on an on-going basis. Local governments may also be interested in BC Housings HousingHub, which seeks innovative partnerships to create affordable rental housing and homeownership options for middle-income households. HousingHub works collaboratively with an array of industry groups to facilitate land, equity, financing, and development opportunities to create new affordable housing. In April 2021, Government announced 2 billion for HousingHub to deliver an additional 8,800 units of affordable housing. As part of Budget 2022, Government announced an additional 166 million for housing over the next three years, with 100 million advanced to build mixed-income housing for low-income families and seniors sooner than originally planned, along with additional resources for the HousingHub to keep up with the growing demand for development.