Victoria passes motion to fast track building affordable housing

A decision is being celebrated by housing advocates across the province, as Victoria city council passed a motion last week allowing non-profit and co-op organizations to fast track the building of affordable housing.

The plan essentially scraps the rezoning application process which includes a public hearing for new affordable housing developments. The motion – which was passed on April 14 – was unanimously supported.

“It’s a very simple change to the existing process that has the potential to have a huge impact,” said Thom Armstrong, CEO of the Co-operative housing Federation of BC.

Armstrong adds the change could speed up the development of affordable housing by up to a year, which also saves money. Victoria is the first city in the province to pass a motion like this, and he says other cities in the province should consider matching these moves made in Victoria, as they are essential in getting more affordable housing.

“If you really want to get to a significant reduction in time and money, then you need to eliminate whole pieces of the process.”

As for Vancouver, City Councillor Christine Boyle pitched a similar motion last year but it failed to get support. Boyle tells City News that she hopes with the passing in Victoria, councillors in Vancouver take the time to reconsider.

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Marika Albert, the Policy Director for the Non Profit Housing Association of BC backs Boyle and says there’s no time to waste when it comes to building affordable housing, and the current systems take too long, costing time and money.

“It certainly would be a very important tool in the tool box that municipalities have to support affordable housing developments,” says Albert.

Not everyone is on-board with bringing the policy into Vancouver though.

Vancouver Councillor Melissa De Genova says she applauds Victoria for taking action. But, she wants to keep the public hearing process in place so residents can give their thoughts on projects being built near them.

“We see that in certain neighbourhoods, people don’t want to see social housing in their backyards. But I think the council plays an integral role in that, and the team working together with neighborhoods, our staff can help to make sure that we do create complete and integrated communities, including people who live in non-market or social housing.” said De Genova.

Vancouver does have a streamlined process of its own, as the city is supposed to prioritize non-profit and co-op applications for affordable housing, but the public hearing portion remains in place.