APPENDIX E: Summary Homes for People

Summary Homes for People

HOMES FOR PEOPLE: An action plan to meet the challenges of today and deliver more homes for people, faster

“A fast-growing population combined with the effects of the pandemic on the housing market means we have to do more – a lot more – to ensure every person and family in B.C. has a home that they can afford and meets their needs.”

— Home for People (p. 4)

Homes for People is built on four priorities that provide a range of potential partnership opportunities that relate directly to the CRD’s approved 2023-2026 Corporate Plan.

PILLAR	NOTES
Unlocking more homes faster	• More small scale, multi-unit housing (townhomes, duplexes, and triplexes) • Make it easier and more affordable for people to rent out secondary/basement suites – CRD: Part of work related to SGI Housing Strategy & Rural/Remote – Could be expanded to support broader regional efforts. Starting in early 2024, homeowners can access a 5-year forgivable loan up to 50% of the cost of renovations to a max of $40K. CRD may be able to administer these though the Housing Agreement Program. • Work with municipalities to make sure more homes are built in communities, faster • Speed up permitting and approvals to get homes built faster • Become a North American leader in digital permitting • Deliver more homes and services near transit – CRD/CRHC: Part of work related to acquisition stream of Housing Priorities & Partnership. Province is targeting 10,000 units at or near transit over 10-15 years. • Launch BC Builds – A new program dedicated to delivering homes for middle-income people – CRD/CHRC: Could apply and/or look to increase stock depending on program design/eligibility parameters. • Expand B.C.’s construction workforce and spur innovation • Explore new ways to get more rentals built – CRD/CRHC: Partnership opportunities under the Housing Priorities & Partnerships. • Build more homes with mass timber
Delivering better, more affordable homes	• Thousands more social housing units – CRD/CRHC: Can increase activity subject to available funds & capacity. Province working to create 6,000 more subsidized rental home though expanded CHF. Province entered MOU with Metro Vancouver Housing Corp. • Deliver 4,000 additional on-campus rooms for post-secondary students • End discriminatory age and rental restrictions in stratas • Protect affordable rental units through $500 million fund – CRD/CRHC: Look to partner under the acquisition stream of the Housing Priorities & Partnerships work. • Create more housing through partnerships with Indigenous communities – CRD/CRHC: Areas of opportunity include RHI though CRD and housing operation support though CRHC. • Revitalize co-op housing
Supporting those with the greatest housing need	• New income tested renter’s tax credit • More homes to support people experiencing homelessness – CRD: Continued support though RHI in partnership with Gov of Canada. CRHD: Efforts to work in support of Complex Care. Province is targeting 240 additional Complex Care beds in 12 locations across BC. • New actions to close encampments • Partner to redevelop and replace single room occupancy units in DTES • Revitalize and expand aging BC Housing properties • More Rent Bank support to help tenants in crisis keep their homes – CRD: Continued support though Reaching Home Program.
Creating a housing market for people, not speculators	• Implement a “Flipping Tax” • Stricter enforcement on short-term rentals • Solve renter/landlord disputes faster and get tougher on bad-faith evictions • Turn more empty units into homes by expanding the Speculation and Vacancy Tax to additional areas • Crack down on criminal activity in real estate • Offer more protections for renters displaced by redevelopment – CRHC: Already included within the CRHC policy.