Housing Needs Reports in BC: Updated Requirements for Local Governments

I want to draw your attention to significant changes in the Housing Needs Report (HNR) requirements. These updates are crucial for local governments and have important implications for our communities' housing strategies.

New Reporting Timelines and Requirements

The Ministry of Housing has introduced new timelines and requirements for Housing Needs Reports:

• Municipalities and regional districts must complete Interim Housing Needs Reports by January 1, 2025, using the new standardized HNR Method.

• The first "regular" Housing Needs Reports must be completed by December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.

• Municipalities (but not regional districts) must update their official community plans and zoning bylaws by December 31, 2025, to accommodate the number of units identified in the Interim HNR.

Purpose and Content of Housing Needs Reports

Housing Needs Reports are designed to help communities understand their current and future housing needs. They must include:

(1) Descriptions of:

• Community characteristics

• Population and household demographics

• Current housing stock

• Housing units needed to meet current demand

• Housing units needed for the next five years

  (2) Statements about key areas of local need, including:

• Affordable housing

• Rental housing

• Special needs housing

• Housing for seniors

• Housing for families

• Shelters and housing for individuals at risk of homelessness

  (3)The number of housing units required to meet current and anticipated needs

Data Collection and Analysis

Local governments must collect data from various sources, including:

• Statistics Canada

• BC Stats

• BC Assessment

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

• Local real estate boards

This data helps create a comprehensive picture of the community's housing landscape and future needs.

Funding and Support

The Ministry of Housing, through a partnership with UBCM, has provided $5 million in funding to assist local governments in preparing their Housing Needs Reports. While the initial application intake is closed, this demonstrates the province's commitment to supporting this initiative.

Interim Housing Needs Reports

All local governments are required to complete an Interim Housing Needs Report by January 1, 2025. This report must include three new, additional items:

(1) The number of housing units required to meet current housing needs

(2) The number of housing units required to meet anticipated housing needs in 5 years

(3) The number of housing units required to meet anticipated housing needs in 20 years

Local governments can fulfill this requirement by either updating their most recent Housing Needs Report or completing an entirely new one.

The HNR Method

The HNR Method is a standardized methodology that local governments will use to calculate the total number of housing units needed over 5 and 20 years. It consists of six components, which are added together to provide the total housing need. To support local governments in applying the HNR Method, UBC's Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART) is developing the HNR Calculator, expected to be available in July 2024.

Regular Housing Needs Reports

As noted, the first regular Housing Needs Reports must be completed by December 31, 2028. These reports must include detailed information about community characteristics, population and household demographics, current housing stock, and statements about key areas of local need.

Public Reporting and Policy Implications

When a Housing Needs Report is complete, local governments are required to:

• Receive the report at a council or board meeting that is open to the public

• Publish the report on a freely accessible public website

Municipalities must review and update their official community plans and zoning bylaws by December 31, 2025, following the Interim Housing Needs Report, and then by December 31, 2028, within two years following the completion of the first regular Housing Needs Report.

Why This Matters

These changes will help local governments and the B.C. government better understand and respond to housing needs in communities throughout B.C. The reports are critical for developing housing strategies, informing land use planning, and addressing existing and projected gaps in housing supply.

Next Steps for Local Governments

If you're a local government official, it's crucial to:

(1) Review your last Housing Needs Report publication date

(2) Plan for the upcoming update based on the new timeline requirements

(3) Begin collecting and analyzing the necessary data

(4) Consider how the updated information will inform your housing strategies

How Context Group Can Help

At Context Group, we understand the complexities of creating comprehensive Housing Needs Reports. Our team of experienced planners and analysts can assist local governments in:

• Applying the HNR Method

• Data collection and analysis

• Report preparation and presentation

• Developing strategies based on report findings

• Updating official community plans and zoning bylaws to accommodate identified housing needs

We're committed to helping BC communities meet these new requirements efficiently and effectively, ensuring that your housing policies are grounded in the most current and relevant data. As we collectively work towards addressing BC's housing challenges, these updated Housing Needs Reports will play a crucial role in shaping our communities. If you have any questions about the new requirements or need assistance with your report, don't hesitate to reach out. Let's work together to create housing solutions that meet the needs of all British Columbians.

Mark Koch, MPA MES MCIP RPP

Principal