The provincial government has granted more time to the cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam to update their zoning bylaws and infrastructure to meet the new housing mandates.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon told the Tri-City News today, Sept. 16 that Coquitlam has until June 30, 2025, to comply with the Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation that Victoria adopted last fall.
And Port Coquitlam has a new Dec. 31, 2025, deadline to make infrastructure changes in the Lougheed Highway/Shaughnessy area.
In total, 21 communities around B.C. were given the green light to continue working on the legislated amendments or provide new utilities for more row homes, triplexes and townhomes.
The provincial requirements were introduced to help ease the housing crisis; as of today, 91 per cent of local governments have adopted the SSMUH legislation by passing bylaws, according to a government news release.
Kahlon said he’s pleased with the results, as only nine per cent requested extensions to meet the new rules.
“It shows that communities do have the infrastructure for this housing,” Kahlon said.
He added that the new housing legislation, which was put forward without civic government consultation, included a provision for extensions if local governments had valid concerns.
Those that asked for more time had to produce an engineering report, as well as concrete examples of how municipalities were going to meet their targets.
Victoria hired an independent engineering firm to confirm the results, Kahlon said.
The 21 “communities had genuine concerns about their infrastructure,” he said, noting the legislation had “flexibility” for compliance following the June 30, 2024, due date.
A request for comment from the City of Coquitlam was not immediately returned.
Homeless shelter
Meanwhile, Kahlon also told the Tri-City News he met with Coquitlam’s mayor and council last month at 3030 Gordon Ave., the Tri-Cities’ only homeless shelter that now has an encampment on both sides of the street.
Kahlon called the scene “unacceptable to both parties. We are working with them. We are working on further supports. We also met with the not-for-profit provider and we are coming back together to be on the same table.”
He said several misunderstandings about mental health supports around the facility were cleared up at the meeting. They also spoke about the need for more housing in the Tri-Cities, including supportive housing.
“The mayors should work together as a region given that the needs are everywhere,” he said.
Info sessions
Meanwhile, the City of Coquitlam will host two public information sessions next month to walk residents and business owners through the provincial housing changes.
The drop-ins will take place on:
- Thursday, Oct. 3, 5–8 p.m.
- Town Centre Park Community Centre, 1207 Pinetree Way
- Wednesday, Oct. 9, 5–8 p.m.
- Coquitlam Bettie Allard YMCA, 555 Emerson St.
If you’re unable to make the sessions, go to the city website in early October for its presentation materials and to give feedback.
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