Squamish added to B.C.'s Housing Targets Program
This is welcome news from the Province of British Columbia, and we look forward to working in collaboration to meet our housing goals and address affordability in Squamish. Like many other B.C. communities, Squamish has experienced accelerated growth over the past five years. The District of Squamish’s 2023 Housing Needs Assessment has highlighted we need 6,840 new housing units by 2031 to meet both current housing needs and the additional demand generated by continued population growth.
We have been grateful to receive a $7M commitment in federal funding through the CMHC’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which supports our plan to increase new housing in the District for a three-year period and gets us off to a strong start.
The Squamish Housing Action Plan has been developed and serves as a roadmap for how the District is responding to the housing challenges, with 25 of 32 actions already completed. Key efforts include zoning changes for small-scale multi-unit housing, policies to secure affordable housing, streamlining the permitting process, updates to the Official Community Plan to align with evolving provincial housing targets, and a new bylaw to help fund community amenities.
We have been grateful to receive a $7M commitment in federal funding through the CMHC’s Housing Accelerator Fund, which supports our plan to increase new housing in the District for a three-year period and gets us off to a strong start.
The Squamish Housing Action Plan has been developed and serves as a roadmap for how the District is responding to the housing challenges, with 25 of 32 actions already completed. Key efforts include zoning changes for small-scale multi-unit housing, policies to secure affordable housing, streamlining the permitting process, updates to the Official Community Plan to align with evolving provincial housing targets, and a new bylaw to help fund community amenities.
We look forward to upcoming meetings with the Province to explore how potential funding and support can help us advance these housing goals and broader needs in transit, healthcare services, and recreation facilities to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with the community’s growth.
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May 30, 2025