Pemberton has been discovered! We are the second fastest growing community in British Columbia, an exceptionally desirable place to live for all of the obvious reasons and one of the youngest towns in BC. We are also susceptible to all of the housing pressures felt throughout the Sea to Sky Corridor and down in the lower mainland (and Victoria!). People want a piece of what we’ve got.
The challenges: Demand has vastly exceeded the supply of housing here in the valley driving prices up higher than elsewhere in rural BC. We cannot simply build our way out of this affordability crisis. There is a balance to be struck in developing new housing to manage the triangle-tug-of-war between supply and demand and affordability. It is vital to ensure that all the types of housing needed to manage affordability get built, and not simply what the market dictates. It is our job to work together with partners, senior government, developers and community to find ways to provide the necessary housing all along the housing spectrum (supportive to non-market rental, employee-type housing, housing for seniors to age at home, dedicated rental and entry-level ownership..). It is so important that as development and growth occur in this community we ensure we are bringing in a full diversity of housing options every step of the way in order to maintain a healthy, affordable and inclusive community.
What’s been done and what is happening: A housing needs assessment has been completed and is currently being updated. A seniors housing needs assessment is also in the works. Both documents help identify where to focus efforts; funds and advocacy and are both instrumental in applying for grants (also if we don’t do the assessments, we can’t apply for grants and this is what can contribute to these goals taking time!).
At the policy and zoning levels we have worked to simplify the process to develop affordable housing within Pemberton’s boundaries. This sounds a little dry but by doing this work we try to remove unnecessary hurdles that slow down the provision of diverse and affordable housing. Careful urban planning supported by strong policy allow for close work with developers to direct the greatest housing needs and use whatever tools available to include affordable units wherever possible.
Countless hours have been spent advocating to the provincial government to assist in building affordable housing. Over the years this advocacy has been met with a roadblock in that the province required that we come to the table with land. The VoP owns very little land and it is very limited in terms not only of what land is available but what is compatible for this sort of use. In a renewed effort the VoP partnered with Sea to Sky Community Services and once again went to the province to lobby. The affordable housing grant application was successful. It brought in funding for both the purchase of the land, the construction of 63 units and support for operations. Zoning related to the project was given third reading on Tuesday, October 4th.
Harrow road project: This is an incredibly valuable project to Pemberton, an important first piece of the puzzle in battling affordability issues. It has been a long and sometimes difficult conversation in the community and I would like to touch on some of the things I heard and why I supported the unanimous decision by council to take it to next steps.
Location: This is something that’s come up a lot over the months. When the Village of Pemberton first partnered with Sea to Sky Community Services (SSCS) they embarked on an inventory and search for properties in town that met the necessary criteria for a housing project like this. It was a comprehensive search and I am confident in the process that this site is the best one available to us. Land opportunities are dwindling and I believe we are fortunate to have secured this site.
Elements like stormwater management and flooding, landscaping and screening, parking and the final look of the building are all items that will be addressed at the development permit process stage in the months ahead. There will be time and opportunity for Council to work with SSCS on all of those elements.
The zoning decision on Tuesday came down to two major items. Firstly the property was zoned for C2 Commercial, it was not zoned for residential use. I support the residential rezoning in that the C2 Commercial Gateway that existed meant that the allowable uses were a gas station, hotel, hostel, convenience store etc. The residential use will be lower impact and better fit with nearby neighbourhoods. The biggest issue has been around the size of the building. There is no question that this represents a change for Pemberton and will take time to get used to.
This project has been fully funded through BC Housing: the purchase of the land, the construction of 63 units and support funds for 10 years. This is a massive gift for Pemberton in an effort to alleviate the affordability crisis and support vulnerable people being forced out of this community. With the BC Housing funding there is an obligation to build the 63 units. The five stories allows for SSCS to provide a food bank and other vital community services on the flood plain, with a smaller footprint and therefore it is more affordable.
As I said during the meeting on Tuesday this has been a gut wrenching conversation knowing that some residents are impacted far more than others. There is no denying that. I believe it is our job as Council to make difficult decisions with the greater good of Pemberton in focus while looking at our needs now and considering the future. The construction of this project, the housing that it will supply for individuals and families who are in need of support, along with the services provided by SSCS are of immense value to this community.
Moving forward: We need to double down on the work we have started. One of the priorities on the work plan is to renew efforts with The Lion’s Club to bring phase three of the Lion’s Villa seniors housing to a reality ASAP. I am confident that as a partnership we will be successful. Attention is also needed in careful urban planning (see blog on Official Community Plan), and to continue to strengthen policy so developers make sure they supply the community with diverse and creative housing options. Continuing to work with community groups and The Province to find opportunities and funding to supply the community’s needs will necessitate ongoing input from Pemberton residents. This work is ongoing and it is vitally important to the health of this valley and this community. This attention to housing needs to be a top priority and a constant focal point for the next council and mayor.
