City council endorsed a proposal Monday night to expand a program that encourages multiple-family housing to include seniors housing and care home.
It means projects oriented to people 55 years and older will get either a 10- or five-year exemption from the city's property taxes depending on whether they're located in the city's "primary growth area" - effectively the Crescents and South Fort George neighbourhoods - or any of the "secondary growth areas" located around the city. Development cost charges are waived for non-profit housing in both types of areas.
The projects must hold at least three units and cost at least $300,000 to build. Single family homes, duplexes and secondary suites are excluded.
Speaking in favour of the move, Coun. Murry Krause said a Union of British Columbia Municipalities review of the province's housing situation indicated a need to provide an incentive to get the kind of developments councils are seeking.
"Just waiting for people to come to you and hoping it fits isn't the way to plan, it's not the way to move forward," Krause said.
As it stands, 209 units of multiple-family housing have been built or are on the way under the program, with 145 of those units meeting the standard for accessibility.
Council also added electric vehicle charging station to the standards for a low-environmental impact designation. Those in the primary growth area that qualify get a $229-per-unit break on development cost charges.
Support for the move was unanimous among those in attendance. Coun. Jillian Merrick was absent.
