Whereas the Province of British Columbia, through the Housing Supply Act, is assigning housing targets to municipalities based primarily on population growth, housing demand, and development metrics, without explicitly considering watershed health, infrastructure capacity, healthcare access, or climate resiliency; And whereas directing new housing to regions with long-term water security and resilience to natural disasters reduces the future costs of emergency response, infrastructure damage, and climate adaptation, and supports safer, more sustainable community growth: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM urge the Province to revise the housing target methodology to include assessments of water system capacity, watershed health, climate resiliency, healthcare infrastructure, and other critical services; And be it further resolved that the Province prioritize housing growth and densification in regions that demonstrate long-term resilience to climate change and natural disasters, recognizing this as a cost-saving, safety-enhancing, and environmentally responsible approach to meeting the provinces housing needs; And be it further resolved that the Province provide technical and financial support to local governments and First Nations to assess infrastructure, water supply, and climate resilience as part of the housing target planning process.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The housing targets methodology estimates housing need over five years using components of anticipated growth including immigration trends and existing unmet housing needs for current residents. The methodology does not specify housing type or direct growth to certain areas of communities, rather it requires each municipality to address its existing housing needs and to plan for and facilitate the growth already expected to occur. Residential demand, land availability, labour market conditions, and infrastructure capacity are considered when evaluating progress to meet targets. Public services, natural hazards, and climate change are also considered. Provincial legislation supports new housing within urban containment boundaries and close to frequent transit. This helps us build more complete communities, reduce climate impacts and prevent sprawl. When full lifecycle costs are considered, infrastructure and servicing for higher-density, infill development is much more cost-effective than lower-density, greenfield development. Focusing growth in existing urban areas is critical to making the most efficient use of land and helping to preserve the natural ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and rivers that surround our communities and support climate resiliency. Under existing legislation, local governments have authority to manage growth in and near hazardous and environmentally sensitive areas. Provincial legislation and regulations also protect agricultural areas and natural resources from development and its impacts. In 2023, the Province also introduced new and updated development finance tools to help local governments upgrade infrastructure and amenities in their communities. Changes included updating the scope of infrastructure eligible to be funded through Development Cost Charges DCC and introducing a new authority for Amenity Cost Charges ACCs, which allows local governments to collect funds from new developments to help pay for key community amenities. The Province continues to advocate to the federal government about investments in high growth, high-need communities and supporting new and existing partnerships with local First Nations so that infrastructure needs and climate resiliency can be addressed when increasing housing supply.