Kamloops lobby group says new housing rules lack rental protections

A Kamloops lobby group is calling on city hall to protect renters amid plans to densify urban neighbourhoods.

New City of Kamloops plans “don’t go far enough” to prioritize renters displaced by redevelopment, according to a Transition Kamloops media release issued today, Sept. 23.

“The City’s own Housing Needs Report shows that additional incentives to preserve our rental stock and maintain housing affordability are needed, but they are not yet in the draft plan,” group organizer Gisela Ruckert said in a news release.

“Other communities have taken these measures — and we should too.”

Kelowna adopted similar rental protections in April, and is now demanding developers give city hall a tenant protection plan followed by similar rules approved in West Kelowna.

Kamloops councillors considered adopting similar rules just last month, but they were hesitant to do anything more than what the province requires.

They opted against adding it to the Official Community Plan before it’s renewed.

The comprehensive plan, which sets out zoning rules across the city, is being renewed amid provincial government housing mandates. Kamloops is among several cities the province wants to see thousands of new homes built.

To spur development, the province has removed municipal red tape and handed cities targets for new builds before 2029.

For Kamloops, the updated community plan is expected to see a shift away from suburban neighbourhoods to core areas like Valleyview, downtown and the North Shore.

Residents can provide their feedback on Kamloops’ Official Community Plan here.