Provincial Development Cost Charges Deferment Program

Whereas the national housing crisis is being exacerbated by a slowdown in housing starts and delayed construction, due to challenges being experienced by the development industry in the current uncertain economic and trade climate; And whereas in British Columbia, the significant economic uncertainty is contributing to volatility in the provincial housing market and necessitates the need for a certain degree of flexibility to stimulate the delivery of much-needed housing; And whereas the Local Government Act enables local governments to collect Development Cost Charges DCCs at time of subdivision or building permit, subject to payment installment terms permitted by provincial regulation, to provide a cost recovery mechanism that funds growth-related infrastructure and park amenities that support community growth: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the provincial government to design and implement, after targeted consultation with local governments, a Development Cost Charges deferment program that provides eligible housing projects with provincial bridge financing to time of occupancy, to stimulate housing across the province while also facilitating the timely and ongoing collection of DCCs for municipalities in compliance with the Local Government Act.