Whereas local governments face challenges in acquiring land for essential projects such as local housing initiatives, including affordable housing developments, community infrastructure, and vital public services; And whereas the provincial government holds significant amounts of underutilized Crown Land inside or adjacent to local governments that could be leveraged to support these local government initiatives, which would directly benefit residents and enhance local community resilience: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the provincial government to expedite the transfer of underutilized Crown Lands, within or adjacent to communities, to local governments for development, infrastructure, and community services purposes.
Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Provincial Crown land is available for local governments at minimal cost to support a range of public uses through the Community and Institutional land use policy. Depending on the use, municipalities may be able to acquire land as a Sponsored Crown Grant fee simple or Nominal Rent Tenure lease or licence of occupation. Land provided through the Community and Institutional program is intended for institutional uses that benefit the public or community uses that help eligible organizations to provide valuable community services. Details on eligibility and process can be found in the Community and Institutional Land Use Policy. Public works and infrastructure, community facilities, emergency services facilities, etc. are eligible uses under the Community Institutional Policy. Uses focused on revenue generation, market rate housing, or that compete directly with private-sector businesses are not eligible under this program. However, land for non-eligible uses can be purchased or leased at fair market value. Land for affordable housing development under this program is generally granted to the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation which local governments can collaborate with. Sponsorship from the relevant provincial ministry is required for all Sponsored Crown Grants and most Nominal Rent Tenures. Please contact your regional lands office if youd like to discuss a potential application or if you have an application in progress and would like to discuss timelines. Community and Institutional Land Use Policy URL: https:www2.gov.bc.caassetsgovfarming-natural-resources-and-industrynatu…