File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

HOUSING NEEDS

Kamloops’ housing needs report amplifies depth of housing issues

Dec 11, 2024 | 4:32 PM

KAMLOOPS — Every municipality in British Columbia is required to complete a housing needs report every four years. On Tuesday (Dec 10), Kamloops plan was presented to city council. The plan highlights housing needs throughout the community over the next five- and 20-year increments.

These reports identify existing and projected gaps in housing supply by collecting and analyzing information about local demographics, economics, housing stock and other factors, including projected growth of a community. According to BC Stats, Kamloops is projected to reach more than 140,000 residents by 2040.

“The total number of units we are needing in the five years is 7,856, and in 20 years it’s 23,228. This accommodates growth, population growth, but there are some other factors in there, like housing preferences, vacancy rate, there is something called suppressed formation, so it’s basically people who would like to create a separate household. Perhaps they are living with their parents or with a roommate but would like create their own household but can’t for affordability reasons,” outlined Community Planning Manager Stephen Bentley.

There were questions raised by Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson about receiving government help in reaching housing targets set out in the needs report, but it was articulated that there is no guarantee, while the city itself is also can’t force people to build new units.

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“We can’t make the market produce,” stated Bentley.

“That’s why I’m wondering what the province is going to do to us when we don’t meet those numbers, what are they going to do. We can’t force developers to build buildings to go broke or whatever. So I guess that is something we need to have a look at,” said Hamer-Jackson.