A new round of housing orders has been issued for municipalities across the province and the City of Courtenay is included.
Courtenay has been given a five-year housing target of 1,334 net new completed housing units effective September 1; the Province’s figure is based on projected growth.
Mayor Bob Wells said the City has been working closely with both non-profit organizations and the broader development community to deliver more housing.
“The Province has told us we’re doing a good job with our housing approvals and is aware we’ve met all the land use standards they’ve enacted to date,” Wells says.
The Province advised the City the new housing targets are an outcome of the Speculation and Vacany Tax which expanded to include Courtenay earlier this year.
The Housing Supply Act and Housing Supply Regulation were implemented in 2023, allowing the B.C. Government to set housing targets in municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected population growth.
The housing target requires the city to report annually on new housing units and municipal actions and partnerships to enable more housing supply.
Wells says city council is proud of the relationships they’ve built in the community who are essential to success.
“On average, we’re seeing more than 400 new dwelling units built each year, and our vacancy rate has improved significantly.”
The fourth round of targets since 2023 involves 10 communities across B.C., with Langford as the only other Vancouver Island location receiving a target.
