The Housing Supply Act, also known as the premier’s housing plan, gives the province the power to set housing targets in municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected population growth rate.

Targets will be based on information provided by municipalities in their Housing Needs Reports required by the province to update official community plans and identify housing demand and supply factors.

The province will help municipalities:

• address local barriers to construction such as parking requirements;
• update land use and zoning bylaws and streamline local development approval processes through the Development Approvals Process Review; and
• ensure necessary community infrastructure (sewers, water) is in place to serve increased housing supply.

Housing targets will be established with eight to 10 municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected growth. The province will monitor progress. A new independent provincial advisor will help municipalities unable to meet targets.

To deliver much-needed rental supply, the province is amending the Strata Property Act to:

• end all strata rental-restriction bylaws; and
• limit age-restriction bylaws (for example, age 19+).

Rental restriction bylaws have been banned in strata corporations formed since January 1, 2010. This new change extends the ban on rental restrictions to stratas formed before that date. There are 300,000 strata units built before 2010 that may still be subject to rental bans.

Using data from the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, the province estimates 2,900 empty condos go unrented province-wide because of strata rules.

Owners in strata buildings may also choose to rent out a room in their condo. 

• Age 55+ stratas will still be allowed.
• Bylaws restricting short-term rentals, such as Airbnb’s, will continue to be allowed.

If approved:

• The housing supply act is scheduled to be brought into force in mid-2023 and regulations soon after.
• The changes to the Strata Property Act would take effect immediately.

• 19 out of 20 Metro Vancouver municipalities are not building enough housing to meet their projected population growth according to a report from the Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN).

Read the news release announcing Premier Eby’s new housing plan.

Read Bill 43: Housing Supply Act.

Read Bill 44: Building and Strata Statues Amendment Act.

Read about measures the province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes.

If you have questions, contact Harriet Permut, government relations direction at hpermut@rebgv.org.