District of Oak Bay Responds to Potential Appointment of a Housing Advisor

January 15, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2025

 

District of Oak Bay Responds to Potential Appointment of a Housing Advisor

Oak Bay, B.C. – The District of Oak Bay received a letter from Minister Kahlon on December 17, 2024 regarding the housing target progress report and the potential appointment of a housing advisor.

In an open letter to Minister Ravi Kahlon submitted in September 2023, Oak Bay outlined concerns about the feasibility of the housing target and requested additional information, support, and adjustments. To date, no response has been received.

Since receiving the housing target, the District has completed all Provincially-required actions.   As it takes at least a year to build new housing, the units finished in 2024 (those measured in the progress report triggering potential appointment of an advisor) do not capture building industry responses to the District’s new housing regulations.  Any municipality that has achieved the Province’s housing targets has done so due to units approved prior to regulatory changes prompted by the Province.

The District’s regulatory changes have already increased housing capacity in Oak Bay and further increases are anticipated in 2025 following Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw updates. 

An attached letter from Oak Bay Council provides a detailed response to Minister Kahlon’s letter.

The District acknowledges the housing crisis and remains committed to doing its part to address it.