NDP MLAs Malcolmson and Routley say funding will help local governments to deliver housing faster in Nanaimo and North Cowichan
CHEMAINUS – New Democrat MLAs Sheila Malcolmson and Doug Routley say local governments are receiving funding that will help them implement new provincial legislation to build more homes for people faster.
“This funding for Nanaimo and the Regional District will help our local governments adapt to changing needs and work to create more housing, sooner, here in our community,” said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo.
In Nanaimo and North Cowichan, the following local governments are receiving funding:
- Cowichan Valley Regional District, $323,554
- Ladysmith, $191,995
- Nanaimo, $619,936
- North Cowichan, $299,774
- Regional District of Nanaimo, $345,913
“We know that people in our region want more housing, and our government has recently taken a number of steps aimed at increasing housing supply across the province,” said Doug Routley MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “Local governments play an important role in the process and I want to thank all our local officials who have been strong partners in this work. Funding like this will help them continue to take on the task of creating and supporting more housing across our region.”
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 used to improve planning, development and reporting processes, hire new staff and consultants and help governing bodies become more efficient at approving housing. Smaller communities will especially benefit from this funding as they have fewer resources to make changes.
This funding is part of a 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