From Brenda Bailey (NDP):
- What, if anything, would you do to enable (or ensure) the use of public land for non-profit housing?
The BC NDP is committed to tackle the housing crisis our province is facing. It is, and has been, a top priority.
For 16 years, the BC liberals (now called BC Conservatives) did not make significant investments in social housing. They believe that the correct way to create housing is to the “let the private market solve it”. It did not and does not. In fact, a free market approach without guardrails and incentives for public housing is one of the reasons we are so short on housing for those of us who are not wealthy.
The NDP on the other hand recognizes that housing has become a market for speculators rather than a source of homes for people. We are focussed on turning this tide – this is why we have brought in multiple efforts to reduce speculation including the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, the Flipping tax, and the foreign buyer’s tax. We have banned short term rentals like Airbnb (unless in your primary residence) because research showed it drove up rental costs in Vancouver by an estimated 35%. We are taking multiple concurrent actions on house, all while building more affordable and subsidized home for people.
The use of public lands is part of that strategy, and there are seven primary ways it plays into our broader strategy to address the housing crisis in the province. Here are the 7 main ways the government is leveraging public lands to build housing:
- Affordable Housing Development on Public Lands
The government is making Crown and municipally owned lands available to non-profit housing providers, co-operatives, and private developers to build affordable housing. By providing land at no or low cost, the government reduces the overall project expenses, making it easier to offer below-market-rate rentals and housing units.
Example: Projects like those led by BC Housing, where provincial lands are provided for affordable rental developments, often with a mix of social housing and market-rate units, are key initiatives. This type of partnership has enabled non-profit and community housing providers to scale their developments more effectively.
- HousingHub and Public Lands
The HousingHub, a program initiated by the BC NDP government through BC Housing, uses public lands in partnership with private and non-profit developers to create affordable housing. These developments are aimed at middle-income British Columbians who are often squeezed out of the housing market. By utilizing public lands, the program enables developers to build housing at lower costs, passing on the savings to renters and buyers.
Example: Many HousingHub projects are being built on public land, with a target to increase affordable rentals and ownership options, especially in high-demand urban areas like Metro Vancouver, Kelowna, and Victoria.
- Temporary Modular Housing on Public Lands
To tackle homelessness and housing instability, the BC NDP government has utilized public lands to build temporary modular housing. These units are quickly constructed on underutilized public lands, such as parking lots or vacant city-owned properties, providing immediate housing for individuals facing homelessness or precarious housing situations.
Example: In Vancouver and other municipalities, modular housing units have been set up on public lands to provide rapid housing solutions, which include on-site support services for residents.
- Partnerships with Municipalities
The BC NDP government has worked closely with municipalities to identify underused or vacant public lands that can be repurposed for housing development. These partnerships involve local governments donating or leasing land to housing developers or non-profits to facilitate affordable housing projects.
Example: The City of Vancouver has partnered with the province to use municipal lands for housing projects, with a focus on developing along major transit routes like the Broadway Corridor, where public land has been earmarked for mixed-income and affordable housing.
- Transit-Oriented Development on Public Land
The BC NDP has been promoting transit-oriented development (TOD) on public lands as a way to build dense, affordable housing near major transit lines. Public land near SkyTrain and bus routes is being leveraged to create housing that is accessible and affordable, reducing the need for long commutes and aligning with broader environmental goals.
Example: The Broadway Subway Project in Vancouver is a key example, where public land along the subway line is being used for mixed-use developments that include affordable housing, office space, and retail.
- Public Land for Indigenous-Led Housing Projects
The BC NDP government has also been working to make public lands available for Indigenous-led housing projects, often in collaboration with First Nations. These projects aim to provide culturally appropriate housing solutions and address the housing needs of Indigenous communities both on and off reserves.
Example: In partnership with Indigenous groups, public lands are being used to build affordable housing that reflects the needs and culture of Indigenous peoples, addressing the severe housing shortage faced by many Indigenous communities.
- Funding and Incentives for Non-Profit and Cooperative Housing
In addition to providing land, the government also offers financial incentives and subsidies to non-profit and cooperative housing organizations that build on public land. This strategy helps create long-term affordable housing that remains accessible to lower-income households. (You can expect to hear from us on Coops and their importance in our housing strategy).
In summary, our BC NDP government is using public lands in a multifaceted approach to build housing, with a focus on affordability, rapid housing for those in need, and transit-oriented development. By making public lands available, the government is reducing development costs and enabling a wider range of affordable housing projects across the province.
2. As you may know, this riding is home to a significant amount of non-profit housing, especially in the neighbourhood of False Creek South. How would your government support the retention and maintenance of existing affordable housing?
This has been one of the priority areas since I was elected in 2020. The very first meetings I took were on the future of South False Creek and the Olympic village school. I have continued to meet with city councillors on these issues, as well as community members so that I can be a conduit to my Provincial colleagues, for example the Minister of Housing, Ravi Kahlon.
I am a big believer of the importance of community and see it in action in South False Creek. The difference is stark when compared to other neighborhoods, and I am devoted to the goal of protecting the community AND adding density. I do believe, as does re-plan, that both are achievable. .
3. This riding has a higher-than-average proportion of seniors. What measures would your government take to support or enable seniors aging in community?
One of the most compelling ideas that have come out of the work on re-plan and others is the idea of a campus of care. The idea of being able to age in the community one loves, while freeing up housing for new families to enjoy is a powerful one. I support this idea and will work with the community to drive this powerful vision forward.
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From Adam Hawk (Green Party):
1.What, if anything, would you do to enable (or ensure) the use of public land for non-profit housing?
Our plan is to scale up Non-Market Housing
Provide $1.5 billion annually to construct 26,000 new units of non-market housing each year, with 3,000 units dedicated specifically for Indigenous Peoples.
Our plan calls for supporting non-profits and housing cooperatives with upfront investment, grant capital and low-interest financing through government-backed construction loans and mortgage guarantees.
Implement province-wide upzoning initiatives to end exclusionary zoning for non-market housing.
Make existing public land available for non-profit housing development and acquire new public land to expand affordable housing opportunities. Recognize community land trusts as crucial for securing land for non-market development.
Improve efficiency and transparency at BC Housing to ensure the build out of 26,000 units of non-market housing per year. Build whole communities just like False Creek.
Partner with municipalities to meet housing development targets and reward successful communities by sharing a portion of property transfer taxes.
Provide $650 million annually in infrastructure funding to municipalities.
Develop housing specifically for families, students, essential workers, seniors, and people with disabilities to meet the diverse needs of communities.
Safeguard existing green spaces and expand the urban tree canopy.
Investigate the potential of land value capture as a funding source for infrastructure projects and community development.
- As you may know, this riding is home to a significant amount of non-profit housing, specifically in this neighbourhood. How would your government support the retention and maintenance of existing affordable housing?
Our plan calls for supporting non-profits and housing cooperatives with loans and mortgage guarantees. Protect Existing Affordable Housing Stock.
Increase funding to the Rental Protection Fund with a $500 million re-capitalization to safeguard existing affordable rental units. Mandate transparency in fund allocation to guarantee equitable distribution.
Allocate $100 million annually to a Rental Maintenance Fund to preserve and maintain existing non-profit and co-op housing to prevent these units from falling into disrepair. Grant non-profit organizations the right of first refusal on the sale of rental apartment buildings, preventing the loss of affordable housing to private investors.
- This riding has a higher-than-average proportion of seniors. What measures would your government take to support or enable seniors aging in community?
Seniors in British Columbia are a very diverse group.
While some are among the wealthiest residents, having greatly benefited from housing wealth, many others are on fixed incomes and struggling with the cost of living crisis. In 2023, 9.7% of food bank clients were over 65 years old.
We must ensure that seniors receive the support theyneed to live as they choose. Those who wish to remain in their homes should have access to services that assist with daily living. On average, a long-term care bed costs taxpayers $27,740 more per year than two hours of daily home support. Correcting this imbalance by reimagining how we care for seniors will not only help with spending, it will also promote independence and quality of life for our senior community.
British Columbia has an aging population and, unfortunately, insufficient consideration has been given to how this will affect our workforce, healthcare system and long-term care services. Certain groups of seniors require additional support, including Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, renters, those in long-term care, people lacking transportation and those with complex medical needs.
Provide greater financial support to low-income seniors who rent, ensuring affordability and housing security:
We will increase the thresholds for SAFER (ShelterAid for Elderly Renters) to provide greater monthly rental assistance for low-income seniors. The thresholds will be raised to $45,000 for single individuals and $50,000 for couples, ensuring more seniors qualify for support.
We will apply vacancy control to assisted living, including the additional fees for services, to protect seniors from rent increases and extra charges.
Ensure seniors have access to comprehensive care, both in-home and in care facilities.
We will improve access to respite care and day programs, ensuring that at-home care services are available for both medical care and assistance with daily tasks to support seniors and their caregivers.
Enact the recommendations of the Seniors Advocate’s report “Billions More Reasons to Care” by ensuring that funding for direct care is spent on direct care and not on operational or administrative costs.