VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s housing minster says more homes will be built sooner under a plan to set construction targets in 10 cities or municipalities in an effort to fast track development. 

Ravi Kahlon announced housing targets will be set for Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Delta, Port Moody, Abbotsford, Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich and Kamloops.

Kahlon says the government chose the first 10 communities based on the needs in the province and projected growth.

The targets won’t be released to the public until this summer, but Kahlon says they’ll be meeting with the cities in the next few weeks to allow them to assess the proposal. 

If communities have challenges in making progress on the government’s housing targets, Kahlon says the province may step in to appoint an adviser to make decisions. 

The B.C. government passed the Housing Supply Act last fall, allowing it to set housing targets, saying it would encourage cities to address barriers to construction, including updating zoning bylaws and streamlining local development approval processes.

The province also announced amendments to end strata bylaws restricting owners from renting their units and to limit adult-only age restrictions in certain buildings, except seniors’ housing. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2023.

The Canadian Press