CITY HALL – Updated housing needs report up for public discussion

The City of Kamloops is updating its housing needs report. A draft report is up at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/HousingNeeds, and the City is asking for input from the community input via a short survey open Nov.  7–21.

A housing needs report addresses gaps in housing, identifies where there may be barriers to finding and maintaining housing, and identifies future housing needs across the housing spectrum. The current housing needs report was completed in 2020.

In 2023, the B.C. government passed new legislation to support increased housing density and supply across the province. Local governments must update their existing housing needs reports by publishing an interim report by Jan. 1, 2025, and a regular housing needs report by Dec. 31, 2028.

The City is working to meet the requirements for both an interim housing needs report and a regular housing needs report by the end of 2024.

The City’s updated report will include the following as required in the interim and regular reports’ requirements:

• the five- and 20-year housing needs in the communities using a new standardized methodology
• a description of actions taken by local government since the last housing needs report
• statements about seven key areas of local need, including affordable housing, rental housing, special needs housing, seniors housing, family housing, housing in proximity to transportation infrastructure that supports walking, bicycling, public transit, or other alternative forms of transportation, and shelters and housing for people at risk of homelessness
• the number and percentage of households in core housing need and extreme core housing need

Following the public engagement period, the draft 2024 housing needs report will be finalized and presented at the Dec. 10, 2024, Council meeting.

Along with meeting the interim reporting requirements, local governments must update their Official Community Plans and Zoning Bylaws by Dec. 31, 2025, to accommodate the number of units identified and provide housing policies consistent with the Housing Needs Report.

The City says its updated housing report will inform an Official Community Plan (KAMPLAN) update in 2025. The City’s Zoning Bylaw may also be updated in 2025 if required.

Visit LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/HousingNeeds to view the draft report and take the survey.