B.C. govt. to provide funding to Chilliwack, Abbotsford to fast track home building

FRASER VALLEY – The province will provide the cities of Chilliwack and Abbotsford and two smaller area governments with additional funding to expedite residential development approvals so that more homes can be built faster throughout B.C.

Fifty-six governments across the province are set to receive $9 million in aid toward fast-tracking development permit approvals, the B.C. government announced Monday (July 6).

The Local Government Develop Approvals Program, administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), assists local governments develop innovative ways to improve development-approval processes to help non-profit housing organizations, developers and other stakeholders deliver homes quicker and increase housing supply.

Abbotsford and Hope are due to receive $150,000 apiece while the city of Chilliwack will be funded to the tune of $124,000. The District of Kent (Agassiz) will receive $72,000.

The funding also enables digitization projects to align with the BC Building Permit Hub, use of modern construction methods and implementation of standardized designs for housing

“Our focus from the start has been on helping people across B.C. find housing that fits their needs and budgets. That can look very different in different communities,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “With the Local Government Development Approvals Program, local governments can improve their internal processes and development approvals, so that we can speed up the delivery of homes for people living and working in B.C.”

Cori Ramsay, president, UBCM, said: “Getting the homes British Columbians need approved, built and available requires all orders of government and industry to work together to improve development approvals processes. Across B.C., local governments are investing in practical solutions to streamline approvals, including digitizing permitting systems, adopting standardized housing designs, and modernizing processes. UBCM is pleased to partner with the Province to deliver the Local Government Develop Approvals Program, helping communities strengthen their capacity to support the timely delivery of much-needed housing.”