(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

HOUSING SUPPLY ACT

Despite strong housing numbers, Kamloops to ask ministry to cut red tape

May 15, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — In May 2023, the Ministry of Housing announced Kamloops as one of 10 municipalities identified by ministerial order and specified a total number of net new housing units that must be completed each year over a five-year period. The new rules came into effect as of October 1, with the city required to submit status updates to the ministry over the course of the next five years.

Through the first six months of the of the new five-year initiative, the City of Kamloops issued occupancy to 305 residential units, putting the community on track to reach it’s Year One goal of 679. However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.

“That there is a new interpretation of existing legislation that is not being applied consistently throughout the province. It’s actually being applied here but not other areas, which is very concerning and some of these processes — we are talking not six months, but two to three years,” said Director of Development, Engineering and Sustainability Marvin Kawiatkowski.

Director Kwiatkowksi feels the various provincial ministries that have hands in the housing pot are not talking to each other, complicating Kamloops’ ability to get projects off the ground.

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“From what we see, the staff in the different ministries haven’t necessarily received a memo saying we need to do our best to move housing forward. We think we have something with the province… we have had the Pineridge project which was basically buttoned up with the province last December and then they had another review. Well, that review is another four or five months,” said Kwiatkowski.

With those challenges in mind, Councilor Katie Neustaeter put forward a motion calling on the ministry to clear the many hurdles in front of the city.

“When we are pushing these things through at the municipal level and then hitting barriers that create two-year wait times that we can’t control at the ministry level, that is a significant barrier in our success in achieving the outcomes that they want to see,” Neustaeter told CFJC News.

Along with looking to cut red tape, Neustaeter also moved a motion asking for support in receiving federal funding.

“We were not successful in a housing accelerator fund, even though staff invested significant time, all of the expertise, met every single requirement necessary. And we are the only municipality within the Interior that has these housing targets and yet we were not funded. And we’ve been offered no explanation for that,” added Neustaeter.

While city staff didn’t speak directly to every project they feel has been delayed, they highlighted the feeling of going around in circles.

“That is causing a lot of concerns and we are finding we are banging our heads against the wall. We will be meeting locally as well as higher level provincially to talk about the concerns,” said Kwiatkowski.

In an emailed statement to CFJC News, the Ministry of Housing confirmed its commitment to working with communities by removing barriers to help create more housing.

“Municipalities are critical partners in addressing the current housing crisis – and essential to building healthy and economically vibrant neighbourhoods so people can stay and live in their communities. We believe the best way forward is to work together with municipalities to address these issues and act urgently in developing an approach that delivers housing in high growth, high need areas,” said BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.

In response to the second motion from Neustaeter, Kahlon again agreed to work closely with Kamloops to achieve their goals.

“We will continue to work with these municipalities to help them achieve their housing goals, including continuing to advocate to the federal government about prioritizing infrastructure investments in high growth, high need communities.”