Vernon (file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Vernon Matters Staff

housing strategy

Multi-family developments key to North Okanagan growth: CFNO

Jul 24, 2023 | 5:00 AM

Adding more multi-family housing developments is seen as a key to future growth in the North Okanagan

The push towards increased density has become a focus of many local governments the last few years.

Kevin Acton, chair of the Regional District of North Okanagan board of directors, says their housing strategy highlights the need for more multi-family homes across the region.

“We need to work together to build a diverse and affordable housing stock that supports regional growth and the families, professionals and entrepreneurs that choose to live here,” Acton said.

Multi-family homes also help the community attract professionals in critical sectors like healthcare and trades.

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

17h ago

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

“Increased density encourages economic investment and retail development, which help a community become more desirable,” Leigha Horsfield, executive director, Community Futures North Okanagan, said. “By bringing in more business, greater density helps to pave the way for long-term economic stability, improving job opportunities and quality of life for all.”

Acton agrees.

“When we have more housing options, we can welcome these people who are essential to our workforce, the people who help everyone in the North Okanagan live a happy and healthy life.”

Earlier this year, the provincial government announced the Homes for People housing plan to build more small-scale and multi-family housing — including townhomes, duplexes and triplexes — through zoning changes and partnerships.

Ian Murphy, co-founder of Vernon-based AIM Development and Management, hopes the plan will streamline the rezoning process so developers can spend more time building houses that the community needs.

“Creating more land is the key to affordable and attainable housing, but it has been one of the biggest challenges for most communities in Canada,” Murphy said. “When we build, we’re not only creating homes, but we’re also spending more in the community buying supplies and hiring local trades.”

By converting land with single-family homes into attainable multi-family housing, Murphy says AIM Development and Management has built 32 homes for families from five properties in the North Okanagan.

“Our goal has always been to build homes that the average family can afford,” Murphy stated. “Attainable and multi-family housing doesn’t have to mean apartment buildings. It also means duplexes, triplexes and townhomes that appeal to young families, retirees and everyone in between.”

For more information, visit the RDNO online.