Whereas communities across the province are actively seeking solutions to support people experiencing homelessness, as permanent housing is a fundamental need for stability and well-being; And whereas local governments require additional funding streams to address housing insecurity, and the province collects revenue from civil forfeiture, cannabis and liquor taxes, and provincial gambling revenues: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to provide local governments with additional funding streams, including proceeds from civil forfeiture, cannabis and liquor taxes, and provincial gambling revenues, to support community led co-op housing models, which have proven successful in other provinces, as a solution to homelessness.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Province remains committed to working collaboratively with communities to address funding pressures, recognizing the broad range of costs and revenue mechanisms required to support local priorities, including efforts to address housing insecurity. The Province acknowledges the important work undertaken by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities UBCM, whose members endorsed the report Ensuring Local Government Financial Resiliency Todays Recovery and Tomorrows New Economy. The report sets out 20 recommendations aimed at strengthening the municipal and regional district finance system in British Columbia, including proposals related to potential new revenue sources. In January 2022, the Province and UBCM entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to guide a review of local government financial resiliency. Under this agreement, a joint working group meets regularly to explore opportunities to enhance local government fiscal health, including addressing cost pressures associated with attainable housing, community safety, and climate change. The Province values its partnership with local governments and remains committed to continuing this work to ensure communities have the tools and supports necessary to plan effectively for the future.