B.C. Mayors Urge Immediate Action on Housing Crisis Funding

BREAKING: Urgent calls from B.C. mayors are intensifying as they demand immediate action from the provincial government to address a growing housing crisis. The B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus, alongside the Union of B.C. Municipalities, is urging officials to fast-track funding for housing projects after a recent survey revealed that nearly half of respondents have significant initiatives stalled due to insufficient provincial financial support.

“Urban municipalities are carrying the costs of a housing and homelessness crisis, without the resources to solve these challenges alone,” stated Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto in a news release. The plea comes as the data shows that 3,278 homes across 28 projects are currently on hold, with Vancouver accounting for approximately half of these stalled units.

The survey conducted from January to March 2023 included data from 14 municipalities and highlighted the urgent need for the province to allocate more resources. The mayors emphasized that municipal budgets are under severe pressure due to rising costs associated with homelessness, including shelter provision, policing, and sanitation services. Notably, 93 percent of municipalities reported increasing policing costs linked to homelessness, further straining local resources.

As of today, around 21,000 households are waiting for social housing assistance through BC Housing across these urban areas. Alarmingly, the last five years have seen a staggering 64 percent increase in housing waitlists among the eight caucus members within the Metro Vancouver regional district.

Coquitlam Councillor Trish Mandewo, president of the Union of B.C. Municipalities, stressed the province’s responsibility in providing supportive housing.

“The provision of supportive housing is a provincial responsibility, and when those housing needs are not being met, the result is more British Columbians without homes,”

she said. The urgency of this crisis is compounded by lengthy provincial project delays, with some developments taking nearly a decade from land purchase to completion.

The B.C. Urban Mayors’ Caucus represents over 60 percent of the province’s population, underscoring the collective weight of their demands. They are calling on the province to acknowledge the critical data presented and expedite funding and project delivery, aiming to alleviate the burden on local services and budgets.

The ongoing housing crisis in British Columbia is not only an economic issue but also a pressing humanitarian concern. With increasing numbers of individuals and families facing homelessness, local governments are stepping up to fulfill roles traditionally held by the province. The mayors hope their urgent message will prompt immediate action from provincial authorities.

As this situation develops, residents are encouraged to stay informed and advocate for necessary changes. The full report detailing the findings is available at bcurbanmayorscaucus.ca.