British Columbia Unveils New Housing Targets for 10 Municipalities

British Columbia has announced new housing targets for ten municipalities as part of an initiative to address the ongoing housing demand in the province. This latest directive aims to facilitate the construction of approximately 40,000 homes over the next five years.

The Housing Ministry revealed that this is the fourth group of communities included in the expanded housing-targets program. The municipalities involved are Burnaby, Coquitlam, Courtenay, the Township of Langley, Langford, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Squamish, and Vernon. Each of these municipalities has been assigned specific five-year targets that commence on September 1, reflecting 75 percent of their estimated housing needs.

The ministry has provided each municipality with detailed guidelines that suggest the number of housing units required by size, along with recommendations on the proportion of owned versus rental properties. Notably, over 14,000 of the targeted homes are designated as below-market rental units.

Since the inception of the housing targets program, more than 16,000 new homes have already been constructed in the first thirty communities selected. Among the latest group, Burnaby has received the largest housing order, with a target of 10,240 homes. Coquitlam, Richmond, and the Township of Langley are each tasked with increasing their housing supply by more than 6,000 homes.

This strategic move is part of a broader commitment by the provincial government to enhance the housing supply and ensure that communities can meet the needs of their growing populations. The Housing Ministry emphasizes the importance of these targets in tackling the housing crisis faced by many residents across British Columbia.

As the program continues to evolve, local governments will play a crucial role in implementing the new targets to achieve the intended outcomes. The ongoing collaboration between the province and municipalities is expected to be vital in shaping a sustainable housing landscape for the future.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 21, 2025.