(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Accommodating Community Growth

Provincial housing targets to be set for Kelowna, West Kelowna

Apr 23, 2024 | 1:55 PM

Two Okanagan municipalities will need to meet provincial housing targets to accomodate growth in the community.

Kelowna and West Kelowna were among 20 B.C. municipalities identified as priority communities due to high-growth and high-needs, and will be tasked with hitting housing targets over the next five years.

“We are addressing the housing crisis with our municipal partners so thousands more affordable homes can be built for people who need them,” Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said.

“Our goal for the next 20 communities is to build on the work they are already doing, while they continue to implement the recent provincial legislative changes. This group includes communities that are doing well on housing and some that need to do more.”

The province stated it would work with the municipalities to ensure targets are met, including by providing financial aid through the Growing Communities Fund, Local Government Development Approvals, Program, and supporting the updating of existing zoning bylaws, conducting housing needs reports, and amending official community plans.

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The province did not release targets for the 20 communities immediately, stating those figures would be announced in the summer of 2024.

The other communities that will have housing targets to hit are Central Sannich, Chiliwack, Colwood, Esquimalt, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, Nanaimo, New Westminster, North Cowichan, North Sannich, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Prince George, Sidney, Surrey, View Royal, and White Rock.

These 20 communities are the second batch of municipalities selected as needing to hit housing targets. The first 10 communities, which included Kamloops, were announced in spring of 2023.