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Housing Needs Reports

In January 2020, the ACRD was awarded UBCM funding to complete a Housing Needs Report (HNR) for each of the six Electoral Areas (EAs) by early 2021. HNRs will be completed for three separate geographic areas: Bamfield EA, the Alberni Valley (Beaufort, Sproat Lake, Beaver Creek, and Cherry Creek EAs), and the West Coast (Long Beach EA). The Bamfield and Alberni Valley HNRs are currently underway. More information on the area specific HNRs can be found on the following pages: City of Port Alberni and Alberni Valley EA residents, please TAKE THE ALBERNI VALLEY HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY by November 29, 2020 for a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards to a local business of your choice.

Bamfield community, please TAKE THE BAMFIELD HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY by January 3, 2021 for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards to a local business of your choice.

Background
On April 16, 2019 legislative requirements took effect that municipalities and regional districts in BC are required to complete HNRs by April 2022 and every five years thereafter. These reports will help local and BC governments better understand and respond to housing needs in communities throughout BC. Local governments are required to collect approximately 50 distinct kinds of data about current and projected population, household income, significant economic sectors, and currently available and anticipated housing units.

Provincial information on HNRs is available here.

Project Overview
The HNRs will be developed while working collaboratively with ACRD member municipalities, First Nations, the public, key stakeholders, and special interest groups to:
  • Provide an overall better understanding of current and future housing needs for residents and stakeholders
  • Fulfill provincial requirements, and be a first step in the development of a future regional housing action plan
  • Position the different areas to implement collaborative projects and leverage funding opportunities
  • Provide staff with the evidence to present to the Board to allocate funding for future HNRs
  • Help inform future comprehensive Official Community Plan (OCP) reviews in each EA

Your support, involvement, and participation is important! Please see the area specific HNR project pages for details on the process and engagement opportunities.