The City of Kelowna decided to act on its own when the federal and provincial government didn\u2019t elaborate on a vague and expensive plan to boost development in the province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On June 18, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier David Eby said the government would spend billions of dollars through the Build Communities Strong Fund to help lower costs for developers, but the City of Kelowna hasn\u2019t heard whether it\u2019s going to get a piece of the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNearly $1.6 billion over 10 years \u2013 matched by British Columbia for a total of up to $3.2 billion \u2013 to lower development charges for multi-unit housing by up to 50% in priority communities, saving up to $40,000 per unit, and expand housing-enabling infrastructure such as water systems, wastewater systems, and local roads,\u201d the Prime Minister\u2019s office said in a press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fund could help developers in Kelowna who have been complaining about development cost charges meant to fund essential infrastructure to support development. Development cost charges are paid to municipalities by developers so the city can pay for the supports for the development like roads and water and sewer systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kelowna city planner Ryan Smith said the city doesn’t know much beyond what was said publicly in the announcement, so it acted on its own by cutting development cost charges by 25 per cent for two years at a council meeting, June 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had no news from either about how we may potentially be reimbursed or benefit from it… the announcement the Prime Minister made in Vancouver was a little vague,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the meantime, we needed to do something and the council wanted to do something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B.C. Ministry of Housing spokesperson Joe Fries said the fund will start in 2027 but details are still in the works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Details regarding participating communities, eligibility criteria and program delivery are still being finalized through ongoing discussions among the governments of Canada and B.C. and local governments. More information will be shared as program details are finalized,” he said in an emailed statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n