NDP MLAs say funding will help local governments to deliver housing faster in Chilliwack, Kent, Harrison Hot Springs
CHILLIWACK- New Democrat MLAs Dan Coulter and Kelli Paddon say local governments will receive funding that will help them implement new provincial legislation to build more homes for people, faster.
“Our housing strategy is about building more homes for people, faster, and that’s why we’re providing local governments with this funding up-front,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack, “By helping local governments adapt to new regulations now, we can get moving faster on more housing across B.C.”
In the Chilliwack and Kent area, the following municipalities are receiving funding:
“I have heard from our community that the changes we made in housing last year were necessary to help build more housing for people, faster, and so we are continuing to support local governments along the way to achieve our common goal of homes for people,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent.
In response to the new provincial housing legislation passed in 2023, the New Democratic government is providing $51 million to 188 local governments to help them meet the new requirements.
This money will be utilized by local governments to improve planning, development and reporting processes, hire new staff and consultants and help governing bodies become more efficient at approving housing. Smaller municipalities will especially benefit from this funding as they have fewer resources to make changes.
This funding is part of the historic $19-billion housing investment by the provincial government. Since 2017, more than 77,000 homes have been delivered or are underway across B.C.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HOUS0006-000051