City of Courtenay Official Community Plan - 2026 update

-266

Goal Objectives

Policy Citations

The OCP’s Housing chapter provides policy that supports the development of housing with particular attention to affordable housing for households whose incomes might not allow them to access market rate housing affordably. Courtenay’s OCP is informed by its current Housing Needs Report which provides the most up-to-date information around Courtenay’s housing needs, including the range of cost and rents that are needed to support households with different financial circumstances. Policies include: Housing Policy 19: Direct the Density Benefit Bylaw to prioritize the delivery of affordable housing, including cash in lieu to the City’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund when on-site delivery is not feasible. Housing Policy 28: Develop a below- and non-market housing strategy that identifies an appropriate role for the City in supporting below- and non market housing in relation to other services and strategies within this sector including but not limited to: the Comox Valley Housing Authority, the Comox Valley Regional Housing Action Plan, the non-profit housing sector, BC Housing and other senior government entities and programs. The strategy shall explore, but not be limited to: • Identifying undeveloped and underdeveloped municipal sites for future non-market housing projects with emphasis on providing a mix of housing types including supportive housing. • Creating a framework for monitoring local equity-priority and demographic needs for housing over time and focus support and incentives, including housing agreements, on residents who need it most including, but not limited to, seniors, Indigenous residents, low to moderate income earners, and those at risk of homelessness. Develop a weighted housing wheelhouse 'Intervention Priority by Tenure' decision making tool to inform the level of City effort and support for different tenure priorities. Update the weighted housing wheelhouse as new housing information comes available to define specific housing needs as they evolve over time. • Advocating for senior government funding for non-market projects and initiatives. • Encouraging faith-based and other institutional landowners to consider including non-market housing when redeveloping their properties. • Creating a policy or bylaw to grant funds from the Affordable Housing Amenity Reserve Fund to non-market housing projects.

Objective 1-B: Increase affordable housing options

City of Courtenay Official Community Plan