Housing Policy

Housing Programs

Planning for Housing

An Overview of Municipal Initiatives in British Columbia

Table of Contents

Message from the Minister

Introduction

Housing Planning and Policies

• Affordable Housing Definition
• Partnering with the Community
• Official Community Plans
• Housing Strategies

Planning Tools to Achieve Affordable Housing

• Zoning
• Utilizing Municipal Land
• Regulations and Approvals Procedures
• Maintenance and Protection of Rental Stock
• NIMBY Strategies
• Inventories and Monitoring

Housing for Individuals with Special Needs

• Definitions of Special Needs
• Research
• Committees
• Policies
• Strategies
• Single Room Occupancy Hotels
• Adaptable Housing

Summary

Appendix A - Municipal Housing Survey Methodology

Appendix B - Municipalities and Specific Housing Planning Initiatives

Municipalities in British Columbia are undertaking an impressive range of initiatives to plan for affordable housing. Land use planning powers, municipal land resources and partnerships are being creatively and effectively used to address the housing challenges faced by many communities.

I am pleased to provide this report which documents key housing planning initiatives and gives examples of how they are being used across the province. This report shows how villages through to our largest cities are planning for housing. By providing practical information on the types of initatives and how they are being used, local governments can learn from each other. I hope you find this a useful addition to your housing planning "tool kit."

Signed by
Michael Farnworth
(Minister responsible in 1997)

 

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Main entry under title: Planning for housing ISBN 0-7726-3398-3 1. Housing policy - British Columbia. 2. Housing - British Columbia. I. British Columbia. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. HD7305.B7P52 1997 363.509711 C97-960301-3