'We can achieve these targets': Vancouver Island mayors address new B.C. housing requirements
CTV
The B.C. government has revealed its housing targets for 10 municipalities that have landed on its so-called naughty list. Saanich is being asked to build 4,610 new units. Victoria is being asked to build 4,902 units, while Oak Bay needs to build 664.
The B.C. government has revealed its housing targets for 10 municipalities that have landed on its so-called naughty list. Three of those municipalities are in the B.C. capital region.
“Our aim with these targets is to work with municipalities to improve processes so that we can get projects built quicker,” said B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.
Victoria, Oak Bay and Saanich are on the province's list.
On Tuesday, they were told how many units of housing they had to approve over the next five years or else face the prospect of the province stepping in.
“We’re being asked to effectively triple our current output, which will challenge our organization,” said Dean Murdock, the mayor of Saanich.
The numbers are ambitious: Saanich is being asked to build 4,610 new units. Victoria is being asked to build 4,902, while Oak Bay needs to build 664.
Saanich has already been doing the groundwork to expedite its approval process but had a much different target in mind.
