B.C. Expands Housing Targets as Over 16,000 New Homes Delivered Since 2023

British Columbia’s housing initiative has achieved a significant milestone, delivering over 16,000 new homes across ten municipalities since the introduction of provincial housing targets in 2023. 

As of May 2025, the initiative has delivered over 16,000 new homes across the first 30 priority municipalities. This legislation enables the province to set housing targets for municipalities experiencing significant housing needs and projected population growth. The initial phase focused on municipalities such as Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna, selected based on factors like population growth, housing needs, and land availability. The success in these regions has prompted the government to extend the program to additional communities.

In the latest expansion, the province announced that ten new communities will soon receive housing targets: Burnaby, Coquitlam, Courtenay, Langford, Township of Langley, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Squamish, and Vernon. These targets will be established following consultations and will reflect 75% of each municipality’s estimated housing need. Additionally, 12 more communities – Coldstream, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Lake Country, Parksville, Peachland, Penticton, Qualicum Beach, Salmon Arm, Summerland, and Vernon – have been identified as potential candidates for future housing targets due to high demand, low vacancy rates, and limited housing availability. 

The housing targets initiative is part of B.C.’s broader strategy to address the housing crisis, which includes zoning changes to permit multi-family homes, investments in student and social housing, and the introduction of a tax on house flipping. The province also aims to reduce construction times and costs through innovative approaches like the use of prefabricated homes and the development of transit-oriented communities. Skills training programs are being developed in consultation with the industry to support the construction workforce and ensure the successful implementation of these housing projects.

Broader Housing Strategy

The housing targets program is part of a comprehensive strategy by the B.C. government to address the housing crisis. This strategy includes zoning changes to permit multi-family homes, investments in student and social housing, and the introduction of a tax on house flipping. These measures aim to increase the supply of affordable and diverse housing options across the province.