CMHC - Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) 🏠

In its 2022 Budget, the Federal Government announced the $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to provide incentive funding to local governments to increase the supply of new housing. The Fund, administered by the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC), runs until 2026/2027 and is expected to result in building permits being issued for 100,000 new housing units across Canada.

The grant funds are intended to support initiatives that remove barriers to housing supply, accelerate the growth of supply and support the development of complete, low-carbon and climate-resilient communities which are affordable, inclusive, equitable and diverse.

On May 2nd 2023, staff presented the opportunity to apply for the CMHC funding which council supported.  Staff estimate that the plan has the potential to create an additional 407 units of housing above our baseline, over the three-year program timeline, which would make the City eligible for over $10 m in grant funding.

Report to Council

Moving to the Cloud ☁️

The City is moving permits to the Cloud!  Online building permits for new simple projects will be available this summer.  Currently new residential builds - SFD, Duplex, Carriage house and townhomes are live. More permits are in the works.

Join us for a digital workshop to learn more about CloudPermit and how to use for your next project.  See our online guide page a step-by-step guide.

When:  Wed, Aug 23 @ 3:15 pm or

When: Wed, Aug 30 @ 11:15 pm

Register for Webinars

Online Guides

Permits Drawings

Reference Drawings

New reference drawings have been created to address gaps onsite regarding code applications for on-site drainage and insulations details for ducts.

ℹ️ These drawings examples have been created for the specific topic noted and should not be considered as a completed detail meeting all BCBC requirements.

Site plans and Lot Plans

Site plans and lot plans can be more complex, especially when considering hillside and in-fill developments.  Attention to the following will ensure speedier review times:

• Grading,
• Retaining, 
• Drainage,
• Driveway - geodetics to the curb
• Cross sections - side to side and front to back

Bulletins and Drawings

Are You Ready for EV Ready? 🔌

The City is launching EV-Ready Requirements for new developments which were introduced as part of the Zoning Bylaw update.

Please see the new EV Ready Page, which has great resources, including the following:

• a new Electric Vehicle Ready bulletin,
• a recording of the recent Workshop,
• and rebates for EV chargers

EV Ready Page

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash