MattersHousingPolicy POL-0166First seen Feb 22, 2023Last discussed Apr 15, 2024
Attainable home ownership policy
The city’s attainable home ownership policy may be updated to raise income thresholds by 3.7% and broaden the eligible residency area. These changes could let more households qualify; staff were also asked to explore structural options for the program.
Where it stands: Staff directed to prepare policy amendments and explore program options Apr 15, 2024.
Background
Earlier and later steps of the same initiative.
Timeline
Every time this matter appeared in council records, newest first.
Staff directed to prepare policy changes and explore program options
Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the Attainable Home Ownership Policy (increase income thresholds by 3.7% and expand residency area) and to explore structural options for the program; the primary amendment motion passed with three councillors opposed.
Decision: Directed staff to explore structural options for the Attainable Home Ownership Program.
Passed 7–0
Decision: Directed staff to prepare policy amendments raising income thresholds by 3.7% and broadening residency.
Passed 4–3· Against: Mark Morley, Colby Harder, Keith Yacucha
- Arnold (Ravensview Drive)Asks · Project agreement and attainable homeownership
Asks for clarification on a project's no-go process, partner voting rules, and proposed changes to the attainable homeownership program. - Tara Cadeau (Glen Willow Place)Asks · 960 Jenkins rezoning
Requests preservation of mature Douglas firs at 960 Jenkins and more neighborhood green space during redevelopment. - L Plomp (Winfield Terrace)Mixed · Urban forest, housing policy, and financial plan
Supports continued urban-forest planning and the tax increase, and asks that attainable-homeownership assistance include West Shore first responders.
- Arnold (Ravensview Drive)Asks · Project agreement and attainable homeownership
- Tanya Sunshine (Langvista Drive)Concerned · Attainable housing
Urges a review of the attainable housing program and suggests partnering with housing organizations or directing funds toward permanently affordable cooperative or rental housing. - Lisa Foxall (Players Drive)Concerned · Committees and trolleys
Asks for transparency about a staff training session, recognition of former committee volunteers, and fair committee appointments; supports keeping the trolleys. - Bernadette Armstrong (Rodney Road)Mixed · Accessible trails and attainable housing
Requests accessible trails and Langford residency and employment criteria for attainable housing applicants from outside the city. - Mike Morton (Phelps Avenue)Concerned · Committee terms of reference
Asks how council chose the new committee structure, membership, and selection criteria, and why experienced volunteers were dismissed without public discussion. - Michael SunshineMixed · Housing, Hydro, trolleys, and wildfire funding
Opposes the attainable housing policy as drafted, praises the Hydro line relocation, suggests repurposing trolleys, and urges wildfire prevention funding. - A residentSupports · Committee terms of reference
Supports the proposed two-committee structure as a fair way to welcome new community members and broaden opportunities to serve. - Siena Geary (Bear Mountain Parkway)Mixed · Fire services and trolleys
Supports more funding for wildfire and municipal fire services, then supports selling the trolleys after reviewing their feasibility. - Malcolm McNaughton (Gannett Court)Supports · Attainable housing
Supports the attainable housing program as an economical rental tool, welcoming broader residency criteria and future discussion of rental policy. - Sarah Plank (Goldstream Avenue)Mixed · Housing, Hydro, trolleys, and committees
Urges housing support for lower-income residents, asks for Hydro cost transparency, favors preserving public trolley uses, and supports the interim committee structure.
- Tanya Sunshine (Langvista Drive)Concerned · Attainable housing