UDI Annual Report 2023-2024
In April 2024, the Ministry introduced a fourth bill, Bill 16,
to complement the previous changes. UDI has always
supported the expansion of pre-zoning and better clarity
in municipal processes to create certainty for builders, and
move away from lengthy negotiated processes and policies
that frequently move the goalposts.
Despite our support for this direction, how the combined
legislative amendments are ultimately implemented will
be critical to their ability to deliver positive change. UDI
is working closely with both the Ministry of Housing and
Local Governments during this transition period to raise
concerns and provide solutions to reduce the burden on
new housing construction.
2024 BC Building Code
UDI has also been working closely with the Building and
Safety Standards Branch (BSSB) under the Ministry of
Housing on the 2024 BC Building Code changes. Over the
last year, we have held regular meetings with our members,
ministry staff, and Minister Kahlon to voice concerns over the
implementation of new earthquake design and adaptability
requirements. We made consistent recommendations to the
Province that it delay implementation of these requirements
to allow time to address the impacts and recommended
measures that would reduce the impact on housing delivery.
Our advocacy was successful in securing more time to
work with Ministry on these solutions, through a 12-month
implementation delay. UDI is actively working alongside
other industry associations to develop solutions with the
Ministry ahead of the March 10, 2025 effective date for the
earthquake design and adaptability changes.
BC Hydro
Another long-term advocacy initiative will reach a positive
milestone in 2024, as BC Hydro submits to the BC Utilities
Commission (BCUC) to improve its approach to local
distribution upgrades. UDI, the Canadian Home Builders’
Association and a small group of members have been
working with BC Hydro for nearly one year on process
improvements that would reduce the unexpected costs
levied on new development when upgrades or new
electrical infrastructure is needed to support growth. We’re
encouraged by the collaborative approach BC Hydro has
taken, and we continue to push for broader improvements
in the timeliness of connections and better integration with
municipal planning processes to enable more proactive
infrastructure planning.
PROVINCIAL
POLICY
Over the last year, there has been an unprecedented
amount of change initiated at the provincial level. These
changes have created uncertainty as the development
industry and local governments both seek clarity on these
new directions, and address gaps in the new provisions.
The changes began with the adoption of the Housing Supply
Act in 2022, giving the Province the ability to mandate
municipal housing targets. In September 2023, the targets
for the first ten municipalities were announced, with 20
more municipalities just announced in April 2024.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Housing introduced
three new pieces of legislation aimed at housing supply
and planning processes:
Bill 44
Housing Statutes
(Residential Development)
Amendment Act, 2023
Bill 46
Housing Statues
(Development Financing)
Amendment Act, 2023
Bill 47
Housing Statutes
(Transit-Oriented Areas)
Amendment Act, 2023
Together with the corresponding regulations and guidelines,
these legislative amendments aim to fundmentally change
the way housing is planned, approved and built. Once
implemented, they could effectively remove steps from the
development review process and provide builders with critical
information on what they can build, accompanied by more
certainty regarding expectations and development fees.
Bill 16
Housing Statutes
Amendment Act, 2024
Provincial Policy