File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Kamloops Housing Targets

Kamloops one of 10 municipalities given housing targets by the B.C. government

May 31, 2023 | 11:29 AM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops is one of 10 municipalities in B.C. that will have housing targets set for them by the provincial government.

In a news release issued Wednesday (May 31) morning, the B.C. government says the Housing Supply Act gives it the authority to set housing targets in municipalities, starting with those with the greatest need and highest projected growth.

The province states it selected Kamloops and the other nine municipalities using a data-based process that prioritizes the urgency of local housing needs, housing affordability and the availability of the right housing supply – including land availability and unrealized potential for more homes.

The province says the targets will encourage municipalities to address local barriers to construction so that housing can get built faster, including updating zoning bylaws and streamlining local development approval processes. Once targets are set, the province says it will monitor progress and work with municipalities to help address any barriers.

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The Housing Supply Act also enables compliance options as a last resort if municipalities are unable to create conditions necessary to ensure housing gets built.

“The housing crisis is hurting people and holding back our economy, and we’re taking action with our partners to cut red tape and get homes built faster for people,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing states. “Municipalities are our critical partners in addressing the housing crisis and building healthy, economically viable communities.”

Kamloops is the only Interior community selected in the initial group of 10. Other municipalities selected for housing targets include:

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

A second group of eight to 10 municipalities will also be selected and notified later this year.