Premier David Eby’s action to speed up housing development and increase housing supply passed in the B.C. Legislature and became law. The Housing Supply Act is designed to kickstart new housing construction by giving the provincial government the ability to set municipal housing targets. It gives the Minister of Housing the authority to ensure compliance to make sure housing gets built, should municipalities with the highest need struggle to deliver enough housing.
By DESIBUZZCanada Staff
VICTORIA – Premier David Eby’s action to speed up housing development and increase housing supply passed in the B.C. Legislature and became law.
The Housing Supply Act is designed to kickstart new housing construction by giving the provincial government the ability to set municipal housing targets. It gives the Minister of Housing the authority to ensure compliance to make sure housing gets built, should municipalities with the highest need struggle to deliver enough housing.
The Building Strata Statutes Amendment Act prevents stratas from banning rentals in their buildings and ends unfair age restrictions. In areas where the government has data through the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, there are approximately 2,900 empty condos that cannot be rented out because strata rules prevent them from renting out their condo – and we expect there are more in other areas of the province.
Kevin Falcon’s B.C. Liberals voted against both bills at earlier stages before flip flopping on the Housing Supply Act and voting against the Strata Statutes Amendment Act.
Falcon’s Finance Critic Peter Milobar criticized the Strata bill, warning it means “that your neighbour, whether you like it or not, could be a renter.”
B.C. Liberal MLA Dan Ashton called to “postpone” the Housing Supply Act and Renee Merrifield also criticized the bill, saying we don’t need “a heavier hammer” on housing affordability.
