A pair of Tri-City municipalities are getting a boost from the province to help pick up the pace on the approval process for housing projects and meet the needs of local residents.
Combined, the cities of Coquitlam and Port Moody are receiving almost $870,000 — granted by the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) — which is set to ultimately help build homes faster while supporting economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding breakdown is as follows:
- Coquitlam
- $465,000
- Development and Building Permit Application Portal
- Port Moody
- $403,575
- Development Process Streamlining
In a news release today (Sept. 1), UBCM president Brian Frenkel believes the money can help improve the overall efficiency of current approval processes and establish new ones in the future.
"Local governments are creating new ways to streamline development approval processes and accelerate the delivery of new homes to communities," he said, noting the UBCM is handing out $15 million to 43 B.C. communities through the initiative.
The Local Government Development Approvals program also encourages communities to explore ways to support non-profit organizations to build essential housing for those who need it most.
"These grants will help [communities] do critical work to modernize development permitting and approvals by removing barriers and streamlining processes," said B.C. municipal affairs minister Josie Osborne.
"Together, the province, local governments, housing providers and builders can find solutions that support more affordable housing for everyone in B.C."
