The City of Vernon is preparing to ramp up its efforts to bring more affordable housing to the city.An affordable housing consultant has been hired to draft an affordable housing strategy designed to increase the number of public and private low-cost housing projects in Vernon. The strategy is expected to be completed in November.“I’m hopeful that even before the end of this process we will have a project up and running,”
said Coun. Juliette Cunningham.Vernon has set aside money for an affordable housing project but have yet to decide how exactly they plan to spend the funds. The strategy will help council decide how they will spend the reserve cash.Kelowna-based consultant Allan Neilson-Welch will be quantifying the city’s need for cheaper homes. In addition, he will work on identifying why it is difficult to develop low cost housing in Vernon. “(Neilson-Welch) has had a lot of experience doing consulting with municipal governments around affordable housing,” Cunningham said. “He did do an affordable housing strategy for Tofino . . . we’re hoping he can develop a strategy for Vernon.”The consultant’s report is expected to explore the possibility of changing zoning regulations and development cost charges to encourage economical housing developments, Cunningham said. Density bonuses, which allow developers to build extra units if they provide affordable housing, are another option that will be explored, she said.
Cunningham said that developers are willing to build more affordable projects in Vernon. But, she said, they are waiting for the city to make the process smoother and more cost-effective.“We’ve heard from developers that once we have a strategy it’s easier for them to respond,” she said.The Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan and Partners for a Safe and Healthy Community will also work with the consultant to develop an affordable housing plan. The consultant was hired thanks to a $35,000 grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
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