The City of Kamloops is updating its Housing Needs Report. A housing needs report addresses gaps in housing, identifies where there may be barriers to finding and maintaining housing, and identifies future housing needs across the housing spectrum. The existing Housing Needs Assessment was completed in 2020.

In 2023, the Province of BC passed new legislation to support increased housing density and supply across the province. Local governments are now required to update their existing Housing Needs Reports by January 1, 2025. The required Interim Housing Needs Reports must:

  • identify 5- and 20-year housing needs in the communities using a new standardized methodology
  • include a statement about the need for housing close to transportation infrastructure that supports walking, bicycling, public transit or other alternative forms of transportation and actions taken by local government since the last housing needs report

Once the Housing Needs Report has been updated to meet the interim requirements, local governments must update their Official Community Plans and Zoning Bylaws by December 31, 2025 to accommodate the number of units identified and provide housing policies consistent with the Housing Needs Report.

In addition to interim reports, regular Housing Needs Reports are required to be completed by December 31, 2028 and must also include:

  • statements about seven key areas of local need, including affordable housing, rental housing, special needs housing, seniors housing, family housing, housing in proximity to transit, and shelters and housing for people at risk of homelessness
  • the number and percentage of households in core housing need and extreme core housing need
  • the change, if any, in the number of housing units needed since the last Housing Needs Report

Visit the Province of BC's Housing Needs Reports web page for more information on provincial requirements.

The City of Kamloops is working to meet the requirements for both an Interim Housing Needs Report and a regular Housing Needs Report by the end of 2024. The City's new Housing Needs Report will inform the City's Official Community Plan (KAMPLAN) update in 2025. The City's Zoning Bylaw may also be updated in 2025 if required.

From November 7 to November 21, 2024, at 4:00 pm, the City is inviting community input on the draft Housing Needs Report. Those who work in housing-related industries and any interested residents of Kamloops are encouraged to complete the survey below.

SURVEY: Draft Housing Needs Report 2024