'Simply refusing necessary housing': Province considering legislation to help fix capital region's housing crisis
CTV
It’s being seen as a shot across the bow of local municipalities. The province says not enough housing is being approved and built to keep up with demand.
Now, the minister responsible for housing says he is considering legislation to modernize processes in order to quicken building development approvals. This, if municipalities continue to drag their feet.
“We do see some areas where municipalities are simply refusing to approve necessary housing,” said David Eby, B.C.’s attorney general and minister responsible for housing.
“What we want to do is get to a place where municipalties could say where the housing should go, what it should look like, but not wether or not it goes ahead.”
A Greater Victoria housing advocacy group is welcoming Eby’s proposed reforms.
“The provincial government realized that housing reform is thoroughly needed, long overdue and something needs to change,” said Philip MacKellar, with Homes For Living.
MacKellar’s group says Eby’s statement is short on details, but they would like to see the province take on the ability to rezone certain areas of a municipality.
“Rezoning across the board would significantly help supply in the long-term,” said MacKellar.
As well, he would like to see a mandatory green-light on development.
