City of Langford frustrated as province adds fast-growing community to housing targets

City councillors in Langford are frustrated after the community was added to B.C.’s housing targets program intended to fast-track new growth.

The City of Langford is expressing frustration and disappointment as the province moves to include the community in its housing targets program, which is focused on fast-tracking new growth in B.C. municipalities.

“Langford city council has a very positive outlook when it comes to providing housing and our city hall acts in alignment with that priority and focus,” says Coun. Kimberley Guiry.

The West Shore municipality has been recognized as one of the fastest growing cities for years. The city says it’s already set a goal to build 17,000 new homes over 20 years, which would make room for roughly 42,000 new residents.

“We are undertaking a large planning phase right now so we can grow responsibly and meet the needs of our community. And throughout that phase, we’ve maintained a priority on being effective and efficient and removing bureaucracy wherever possible so we can help developers grow and have fiscally attainable projects in Langford,” says Guiry.

B.C.’s Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs says it will be consulting with the group of communities added to the list under the Housing Supply Act. It says the goals will reflect 75 per cent of each municipalities housing need. The group also includes Courtenay, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Richmond, Squamish and Vernon.

The province acknowledges many of the communities are “already leaders” in building more homes.

“I think where we are struggling and where I have a personal worry is we are sidestepping important conversations where we need to have partnerships with the province in order to meet the needs that come with that growth,” says Guiry.

The councillor points to a 4,500-square-foot site on Bryn Maur Road that’s ready to welcome 10 new doctors. She says the city has asked the province for $1.7-million to help open the doors and hasn’t heard a response.

She’s also concerned about negative ripple effects for developers who may be impacted by U.S. tariffs – and updates to buildings codes increasing construction costs.

The province didn’t respond to CTV News’ request for further comment by deadline Friday afternoon.

It’s initial release updating the program says housing targets have delivered more than 16,000 new homes across the first 30 priority municipalities. The Housing Supply Act was implemented in 2023, enabling government to set housing targets for communities based on areas of need or to meet projected growth.