The Town of Comox received a boost of up to 5.2M in funding from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). This contribution represents one of the largest funding received by the municipality, which will be used to address critical housing challenges and adapt to provincial regulatory changes.
In response to the recent provincial housing announcements, which mandate substantial alterations in municipal housing decision-making processes, Comox is bolstering its planning for the anticipated changes. Beginning this summer, single-family zoning will be phased out in favour of 4-plex zones across the municipalities. Additionally, by 2026, municipalities are required to ensure a 20-year housing supply rezone, signalling a fundamental shift in planning and development strategies.
“With the announcement of these funds, Comox is able to offset the costs associated with the regulatory changes,” said Comox Mayor, Nicole Minions. The Housing Accelerator Fund supports our municipality with the inevitable changes that are forthcoming and puts Comox in a more prepared position than we would be without this fund.”
The HAF will play a pivotal role in supporting Comox’s efforts to comply with these regulatory changes. Specifically, the funding will facilitate the following initiatives:
- Improvement and modernization of the Town’s development application procedures.
- Updating the Town’s subdivisions and servicing bylaws to align with new regulations.
- Undertaking a comprehensive Official Community Plan (OCP) review to accommodate evolving housing needs.
- Simplifying the process for homeowners to obtain approvals for secondary suites, enhancing housing affordability and availability.
- Diversifying the range of housing options in the Comox Valley to meet the diverse needs of a growing community.
To stay up-to-date with housing developments in the Town of Comox, visit comox.ca/housingapplications.
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Media Contact:
Nicole Minions, Mayor Comox
nminions@comox.ca
250-650-8458
or
Jordan Wall, Chief Administrative Officer
jwall@comox.ca
250-339-2202