Kelowna beats 1st year housing targets with over 1,500 new units

Kelowna has surpassed its first year target for new housing targets, which were set by the province last summer.

BC’s Ministry of Housing set five-year housing targets for 30 municipalities.

Kelowna’s target was set at 8,774 units in June 2024.

According to a report headed to council last year, the city saw 1,501 new units between July 1 and Dec. 31, which is the first six months of the program.

A total of 1,592 units were completed but there were 91 demolitions of older units, the staff report says.

The first year target was 1,363 units.

The province’s order specifies five annual progress reporting periods and one initial interim report, which is what city council will be reviewing on Monday.

City staff say there were 764 rental units and 737 market units completed.

Additionally, 644 of those units were at market levels and 120 were below market.

During the first six months of the program, the city’s planning staff issued 31 development permits and 114 building permits for 2,954 future units.

“The number of building permits issued during the reporting period is below the 5-year average, which could impact completion numbers in the 4th or 5th year of housing target reporting,” the report says.

“Staff will need to continue their efforts to promote housing supply and meet the overall 5-year target of 8,774 units.”

City staff say that work has already started and during and prior to the initial reporting period, city planners have implemented or made progress on multiple housing-related initiatives.

That includes becoming the first municipality to update bylaws in response to bills 44 and 47 and introducing a Housing Action Plan, which outlines 26 actions to be implemented to ensure people have access to suitable housing options.

“The City of Kelowna has met its Year 1 Housing Target in the first interim reporting period and is on track to nearly double this target,” the report says.

“Overall, this is a positive step towards achieving a healthier housing system and complying with the provincial housing targets.”