An innovative approach from the City of Penticton to aid in the construction of new housing has the support of the Southern Interior Local Government Association.
Delegates to the annual convention approved the City’s motion that would “establish a model that provides provincial funding equal or greater in value to any donated land a local government contributes for the purpose of attainable and affordable housing projects.”
“We know the demand for attainable and affordable housing is growing and that we need to be proactive and collaborative in finding solutions,” says Mayor Julius Bloomfield, who spoke to the motion. “We need to break down the silos that prevent projects from proceeding and build partnerships with senior levels of government. I’m glad our SILGA colleagues feel the same way and look forward to debating the motion at UBCM.”
The City of Penticton’s motion will now go the Union of B.C. Municipalities AGM in the fall for debate.
Bloomfield notes the City of Penticton’s Official Community Plan-Housing Task Force on Housing has now been established and will examine residential growth trends and housing needs, assist with targeted consultation to gather input on housing needs and review and recommend new and innovative housing forms to benefit housing affordability.
“As a council, we have made it a priority to proactively plan for deliberate growth and want to ensure that every option available is examined and assessed so that we can meet the demand,” says Bloomfield. “A partnership where the province matches municipal contributions can play a role in creating that supply.”
Six members of council and one staff member are in Vernon for the SILGA convention. The estimated cost is $8,000.