A new program was announced today to support local governments to improve their development approval process to ensure that homes are approved and built faster.
“We have a housing supply shortage in Surrey and housing affordability continues to be a crisis situation,” said Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade. “The development industry sector is a partner in driving the economy. However, with housing construction implementing needed wrap-around infrastructure like schools, parks, arts, and transportation, enhancing livability should be key to city-design principles.”
“Hopefully this BC Government program and access to funding will help local governments look at best practices and innovative ways to support non-profit housing organizations, build purpose-built rental housing, and ensure that all developers have a fair chance to build essential and diverse types of workforce housing.”
Highlights:
· Municipalities, regional districts, and the Islands Trust will be able to apply for $500,000;
· upgrades to a digital or online development application process to make it easier for applicants to apply;
· developing a pre-application workshop or seminar to help developers better understand the application requirements and speed up the process; and,
· conducting internal reviews of current development approvals processes to identify opportunities for improvement.
In the Surrey Board of Trade’s communication with the City of Surrey, they have indicated that they are being proactive in their application for this funding. Surrey has worked with the Provincial Government on the program during an initial consultation process that led to the release of a 2019 report titled Development Approvals Process Review.
For more information on the funding program: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021MUNI0018-000402
For more information on the 2019 report: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/local-governments/planning-land-use/dapr_2019_report.pdf
-30-
Anita Huberman, 604-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.ca
