UBCM Housing Strategy
In August 2016, UBCM established a Special Committee on Housing to identify ways to make housing more affordable for people who live, work and contribute to BC’s communities. The Committee considered potential federal and provincial actions and supports, in addition to opportunities for voluntary local government action, recognizing that local governments cannot tackle the housing crisis alone.
The Committee met monthly from August 2017 to January 2018 and released its final report A Home for Everyone: A Housing Strategy for British Columbians [PDF - 3.8 MB] on February 1, 2018.
The report contains 32 recommendations structured around four policy shifts:
- A Rental Housing Strategy to help address a deficit in rental housing built up through decades of policy priority on homeownership.
- A Demand Management Strategy with taxation measures to stabilize prices and restore affordability.
- A Comprehensive Homeless Strategy to substantially reduce the number of people who are homeless.
- An All Government Approach towards Housing Affordability, through which all orders of government collaborate at a community level to bring about community appropriate change.
A summary of recommendations [PDF - 209 KB] is also available.
Current Issues and Correspondence
- UBCM statement on the Housing Supply Act.
- October 2022 analysis of MLA Eby housing plan.
- March 2022 UBCM statement on housing supply and affordability.
- UBCM letter to Minister Eby requesting clarification on statements regarding housing supply together with Minister Eby's response - November 2021.
Report of the Joint UBCM-Province Advisory Group on Short Term Rentals
The Province’s Rental Housing Task Force recommended in December 2018 that the Province work with local governments to develop, implement, and enforce short-term rental rules to better protect long-term rental stock. In the May 2019 response to the Task Force recommendations, the Province agreed to address this recommendation through further consultation with stakeholders and local governments. In fall 2019 the Province and UBCM established a Joint Advisory Group on Short-Term Rentals.
Federal and Provincial Policy
The Federal Government unveiled its National Housing Strategy on National Housing Day, November 22, 2017. The strategy is primarily geared towards low income households, and includes a National Housing Co-Investment Fund, a new rental benefit, community housing initiatives, and an expanded homelessness program.
On February 20, 2018, the Province released its 30-point Homes for B.C. Plan. This plan proposes measures to stabilize housing prices, crack down on tax fraud, build affordable housing, improve security for renters, and build partnerships. As a whole, the plan addresses many of the recommendations identified in UBCM's report.
UBCM will continue to monitor implementation of both the Province's plan and the National Housing Strategy, and to advocate on behalf of members.
Resources
UBCM Submission to the Expert Panel on Housing Supply and Affordability
UBCM National Housing Strategy Submission [PDF - 227 KB]
Presentations from 2017 Convention Sessions:
- Dissecting Affordability: Root Causes and Implications
- Short-term Rentals & Affordable Housing: Room for Both?
Articles:
UBCM Housing Policy and Advocacy
- UBCM Special Committee on Housing - August 16, 2017
- Housing Strategy Report - Feb 1, 2018
Provincial Initiatives
- Homes for BC - February 28, 2018
- Speculation Tax Update - March 28, 2018
- Protections for Manufactured Home Owners - April 4, 2018
- Rental Housing Task Force Announced - April 11, 2018
- Support for Tenants Facing Eviction - April 18, 2018
- Provincial Housing Affordability Announcements - rental zoning, housing needs data, developer reporting requirements and $1.9 billion investment in rental housing - April 25, 2018
- Housing Needs and Rental Zoning Bulletins - July 11, 2018
- Progress on Housing -summary of recent provincial initiatives - September 5, 2018
- UBCM Supports Registry Identifying Landowners - Land Owner Transparency Act - September 10, 2018
- Infrastructure, Housing Highlight Minister's Address - September 12, 2018
- Taking Action on Housing Affordability -UBCM actions and work with Province on housing - September 12, 2018
- New Funding for Housing Needs Reports - November 7, 2018
- Provincial and Federal Housing Announcements-federal and provincial funding, ALR housing restrictions, condo and strata assignment register, November 21, 2018
Federal Initiatives
- National Housing Strategy Highlights - November 29, 2017
- National Housing Strategy Consultation - March 28, 2018
- Funding for National Housing Strategy - April 11, 2018
- National Housing Strategy Launch Dates - April 25, 2018
- Provincial and Federal Housing Announcements-federal and provincial funding, ALR housing restrictions, condo and strata assignment register, November 21, 2018
2018 Convention Study Session - September 10
Contact
Josh van Loon
Senior Policy Analyst
jvanloon@ubcm.ca
604-270-8226 ext. 113