Courtenay Annual Report 2025 draft

2024 Housing Needs Report Courtenay continues to respond to rising housing costs and low vacancy rates. The 2024 Housing Needs Report identifies significant projected growth and ongoing affordability pressures across the community. The population is projected to increase by 44 per cent by 2041, requiring approximately 8,350 new homes over the next 20 years. Currently, 22 per cent of households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter, with renters, single-parent households, Indigenous households and seniors most affected. Demand for accessible, below-market and supportive housing is also increasing. In 2025, the City began a targeted update of the Official Community Plan to align with new provincial housing legislation and ensure sufficient capacity for long-term growth. The work includes land-use and infrastructure analysis, policy review and community engagement with K’ómoks First Nation, regional partners, School District 71 and local agencies. Key initiatives supporting housing include: • Small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) Zoning updates enabling more diverse residential forms in established neighbourhoods. • Below-market housing Continued partnerships with non-profit and provincial housing providers, including progress at 810 Braidwood Road. • Shelter and supports Ongoing collaboration with BC Housing on the purpose-built shelter and supportive housing project at 925 Braidwood Road. • Strengthening Communities Grant Funding for urgent supports for unsheltered residents and related community impacts. courtenay.ca/housing

Community winter response and storage solutions In 2025, the City of Courtenay advanced a coordinated winter response to address urgent safety and service needs for people experiencing homelessness. Through partnerships with regional and frontline organizations, the City supported essential winter infrastructure near the Connect service hub, including washrooms, secure storage and covered facilities. The City contributed $150,000 toward the $178,050 initiative, with additional funding from the Comox Valley Community Foundation supporting peer workers, storage bins and essential winter supplies. As part of this broader response, Council approved a Temporary Use Permit in October 2025 to enable a temporary winter shelter at 971 Cumberland Road. The shelter operated from fall 2025 to April 15, 2026, and provides interim support until a new purpose-built facility opens at 925 Braidwood Road in 2027. The shelter is delivered in partnership with regional governments and community organizations, following public engagement in September 2025. courtenay.ca/winter-shelter CVRD Board supports formation of Comox Valley Housing Authority In December 2025, the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) Board approved the formation of the Comox Valley Housing Authority to support the development of more affordable housing across the region. The new authority will work with non-profit housing societies, senior governments and local municipalities to increase the supply of non-market rental housing. The initiative responds to growing housing affordability pressures in the Comox Valley, where approximately one in five households spends more than it can afford on housing. The authority will initially focus on housing development partnerships, land acquisition and regional coordination to help advance projects. A key objective is to address barriers related to land access and early-stage project funding, improving the region’s ability to secure federal and provincial construction grants. Provincial approval is required before incorporation. Once established, the authority will operate independently, with a board that includes elected officials and housing expertise.

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