District of Sechelt Council set ambitious preliminary housing growth targets earlier this month in anticipation of a federal housing funding application.
A target of 227 new housing units per year in Sechelt over three years – 143 units more than the historical average of 83 units a year – was unanimously endorsed at the Aug. 2 council meeting. Put another way, should the funding come to pass, Sechelt would be aiming for a total of 682 units built over three years, 430 of those incentivized through the program.
The targets and a seven-point housing action plan covering policy, partnerships and processes, were drawn up for the federal Housing Accelerator Fund application due Aug.18.
The $4 billion fund announced in May is meant to transform how communities approve housing, Andrew Allen, Sechelt’s director of planning and development, told council. Over three years, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will dole out incentivized and outcome-based funding to successful applicants.
Sechelt is applying for $12.1 million, with an expected decision coming down in October-November, Allen told council. While it’s unclear if Sechelt will get all, some, or none of the funding, but whatever they are approved for comes with a guarantee of 75 per cent of the funding, with the remaining 25 per cent provided if targets are met. Staff said that action plan items would be prioritized based on how much funding is received.
The application is to stress the growth of “missing middle” housing, which staff loosely defined as multi-unit housing that is four stories or less – including secondary suites, townhomes and multifamily developments.
Asked if Sechelt had enough land for all this housing, Allen said that while the municipality doesn’t own such tracts of land, he believes there’s enough land owned by other people to be developed.
In discussing the application, councillors spoke to the growing, aging population and the workforce housing needed to support such growth.
“Focusing on the number of units, that number doesn't scare me,” said Coun. Brenda Rowe. “What does scare me is finding people to come and take care of our most vulnerable on the Sunshine Coast.”
Coun. Dianne McLauchlan voiced some concern on matters of water demand and the need for non-market housing, but ultimately voted in favour.
