Project Summary N-092: Housing strategy
Development of a strategy to address urgent needs for housing affordability, diversity, and supply.
Project Summary
Project Name: Housing strategy Priority: Strategic Public Engagement: Consult Financial Plan: 2026-2030 Project Number: N-092 Project Code: 1-2-05100-615 CC510-31 Submitted by: Leanne Taylor, Director of Development Services Director: Leanne Taylor, Development Services
Executive Summary
The Official Community Plan (OCP, 2011) strongly encourages the creation of a Housing Strategy. View Royal’s Strategic Plan (2023 – 2026) also includes development of a Housing Strategy. A strategy would provide clear directions to improve housing opportunities and address the urgent need for housing affordability, diversity, and supply. This action-oriented document would be delivered through meaningful community and stakeholder engagement.
Business problem and opportunity
The current OCP supports the creation of a Housing Strategy, which would help guide and inform decision-making in the future, including the redevelopment of properties, and further advance housing goals and objectives in the OCP and Strategic Plan.
Proposed project objectives
To provide a comprehensive review of the existing housing situation in the Town; develop actions to increase access to a broad range of housing options to meet the needs of various ages, household types and incomes in the community; and consider ways to increase the overall supply and diversity of market and non-market (rental and homeownership) housing options that are both affordable and attainable for residents in the community, promote and protect rental housing, and strengthen partnerships.
Business risks
Continuing to move forward without a Housing Strategy could negatively impact the Town’s ability to respond to the current and future housing affordability and the needs of the community.
Proposed sources of funding
Casino revenue (any approved grant funding would reduce the use of Casino revenue)
Costs and benefits
| Costs | FY1 | FY2 | FY3 | FY4 | FY5 | 5-year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Operational | 0 | 0 | 75,000 | 0 | 0 | 75,000 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 75,000 | 0 | 0 | 75,000 |
| Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Tangible | Implement the Housing Gaps and Needs Study, and actions to increase the overall supply and innovative market and non-market (rental and homeownership) housing options. |
| Intangible | Meet the needs of various ages, household types and incomes in the community. More opportunities to provide suitable housing for households with children, seniors, and people with disabilities. |
Recommendation
THAT the Committee recommend the 2026-2030 Financial Plan include Housing strategy in 2028 to be funded by Casino revenue.
Additional Information
The Strategic Plan – 2023 – 2026 contains the following goal:
GOAL 3: Access to a broad range of housing options to meet the needs of various ages, family types and incomes.
3b | Develop a Housing Strategy Timing: 2027 Resources: $75,000
The OCP contains the following action item (Action HS2) to support the creation of a Housing Strategy:
Consider preparing a comprehensive Housing Strategy to address housing issues in View Royal, such as identifying gaps in the provision of non-market and market housing options, provision and replacement of affordable housing, seniors housing, family-oriented, workforce housing, and special needs housing, and residential infill development.
For example, Fort Victoria RV Park, which contains approximately 300 full hook-up sites and occupied all-year round by long-term residents, has been identified by the community as the preferred location for a new View Royal Town Centre in the OCP. A housing strategy would provide policy direction on how to support renters and minimize the impacts of tenant displacement and relocation as a result of development.
Further reference material
- Town of View Royal’s Official Community Plan https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Bylaws/811%20Offfical%20Community%20Plan.pdf
- Town’s Housing Needs Assessment Report https://www.viewroyal.ca/assets/Town~Hall/Documents-Forms/Planning-Development/2020%2008%2011%20Housing%20Gaps%20study.pdf
- BC Government Housing Strategies and Action Plans https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/local-governments-and-housing/policy-and-planning-tools-for-housing/housing-strategies-and-action-plans#:~:text=A%20housing%20strategy%20or%20action,rental%20housing%20and%20home%20ownership.
- District of Saanich’s Housing Strategy https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Community/Documents/Planning/housing-strategy-web.pdf
- City of Victoria’s Housing Strategy https://www.victoria.ca/EN/main/residents/housing-strategy.html