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Municipal housing targets

Last updated on November 14, 2023

The B.C. government is working with municipalities to create more housing in B.C.

Last updated: November 14, 2023

Municipal and provincial roles

Municipalities have an important role in increasing housing supply in B.C. For example, they create:

  • Housing needs reports
  • Official community plans
  • Regional growth strategies
  • Housing action plans
  • Zoning bylaws

As of May 31, 2023, the B.C. government has the authority to set housing targets in municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected population growth. This authority comes from the new Housing Supply Act and Housing Supply Regulation.

How housing targets work

The B.C. government is taking a phased approach to implementing municipal housing targets. The approach is beginning with 8 to 10 municipalities, selected using an empirical index (PDF, 96KB) of housing need.

For each cohort:

  1. The B.C. government will consult municipalities on proposed housing targets
  2. Municipalities can provide feedback on the proposed targets
  3. The B.C. government will then issue housing target orders

The B.C. government expects to issue housing target orders to 16-20 municipalities each fiscal year.

Municipalities issued housing target orders must report their progress annually. The deadline is 45 days after the end of the reporting period.

To meet housing targets, municipalities will need to create the conditions for housing development, including updating zoning bylaws or streamlining development approval processes.

If a municipality can’t meet their target, the Minister of Housing may appoint an advisor to review the municipality’s progress and make recommendations. As a last resort, the B.C. government may issue a directive to require the municipality to enact or amend a bylaw or accept or reject a permit to help meet the target.

News

The first cohort was selected for housing target assessment in May 2023. The first housing target orders were issued in September 2023. The Province expects to announce the second cohort in late 2023. You can learn more in these news releases: