Whereas effectively addressing housing on a regional scale requires a collaborative effort between regional municipalities and regional districts; And whereas since the provincial government mandated regional housing assessments must be completed every 5 years it is more important than ever that local governments are supported financially so they can implement these mandates: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM petition the Province to work with UBCM and local governments to develop and implement a consistent and sustainable funding model for municipalities and regional districts for the implementation of findings of regional housing assessments, so as to increase housing availability across BC in both municipalities and regional districts.
Attorney General and Minister responsible for Housing The Province is committed to supporting municipalities in their efforts to bring affordable housing to their communities and address their long-term housing needs. As part of Homes for BC A 30-Point Plan for Housing Affordability in British Columbia, the Province is making an historic 7 billion investment in homes people need. The BC government is working in partnership with non-profits, municipalities, First Nations, Indigenous housing organizations and the private sector to deliver 114,000 affordable homes that cover the full spectrum of housing needs for British Columbians by 2028. Regarding funding opportunities, local governments are encouraged to partner with BC Housing to create more innovative and sustainable housing solutions through the Building BC funding streams, including the Community Housing Fund, the Indigenous Housing Fund, and the Supportive and Womens Transition Housing Fund. The Provincially funded Housing Needs Reports will strengthen the ability of regional and local governments to understand what kinds of housing are most needed in their communities, and help inform local plans, policies, and development decisions. In 2018, the Province committed 5 million over three years 2019-21 to help local governments collect and analyze housing-related data from their communities. In 2020, the Province expanded the Housing Needs Report Program eligibility to BCs eight Treaty First Nations and in 2021 invested 1 million to help 26 communities assess and report on local housing needs. More than 75 of local governments have already successfully applied for a housing needs report grant or developed housing needs reports without provincial funding. These reports are another tool to help the Province work with local governments and other partners to build 114,000 new affordable homes throughout BC by 2028.