Campbell River Council has received an update on interim housing needs in the city.

The Province requires local governments to complete Interim Housing Needs Reports to help better understand and address overall housing needs.

The City’s Interim HNR also provides housing projections for the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw reviews, which are underway, to aid City community growth planning for the next 20 years.

Key findings from the report show an increase in housing demand when compared to findings from 2020.

There is a projection of a five-year housing need of 2,842 units between 2021 and 2026, averaging 568 units annually, and a 20-year need of 8,294 units between 2021 and 2041, averaging 415 units annually.

However, over the past three years, the City permitted an average of 326 housing units annually.

While external factors such as construction labour capacity, material costs, market demand and interest rates remain challenges beyond the City’s control, the City says staff continue to work on initiatives to improve the permitting process, including zoning reforming’s, City-led land acquisition and development, and investment in infrastructure, particularly downtown, and other future housing-related initiatives funded through the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund.

Staff will monitor the uptake of the various initiatives and recommend further incentives if the City does not meet the new housing targets established by the Province.

To learn more, visit City of Campbell River.