City of Cranbrook
Interim Housing Needs Report
December 2024
City of Cranbrook Interim Housing Needs Report
Per Section 790 of the Local Government Act, the municipalities are required to complete their Interim Housing Needs Reports (IHNR) utilizing the prescribed methodology and address the following three components:
• The number of housing units required to meet current and anticipated need for the next 5 and 20 years.
• A statement about the need for housing in close proximity to transportation infrastructure that supports walking, bicycling, public transit or other alternative forms of transportation; and,
• A description of the actions taken by the City, since receiving the most recent Housing Needs Report, to reduce housing needs.
A regular HNR is required to be received by December 31, 2028, and every 5 years thereafter. The 5- and 20-years housing needs are calculated using the BC HNR Calculator tool using the prescribed HNR methodology The legislation also requires that local governments update their OCP’s and zoning bylaws by December 31, 2025, to accommodate the 20-year need.
5- and 20-year Housing Needs
The 5- and 20-years housing needs for the City of Cranbook are calculated using the BC HNR Calculator tool using the prescribed HNR methodology and provincial guidelines. The tool can be found here: https://hart.ubc.ca/bc-hnr-calculator/
The City’s 5- and 20-year needs are summarized in Table 1 below. The full reports is attached as Appendix 1 to this report The total need is comprised of the cumulative total of the 6 required categories of need including extreme core housing need, persons experiencing homelessness, suppressed housing formation, anticipated growth, rental vacancy rate adjustment and additional Local Demand.
The anticipated total number of new housing units needed for next 5 years is 1262.
The anticipated total number of new housing units needed in the next 20 years is 3650
Table 1
Housing in proximity to transportation infrastructure
Interim HNR are required to contain a statement about the need for housing in close proximity to transportation infrastructure that supports walking, bicycling, public transit and other alternative forms of transportation.
The City’s new proposed Official Community Plan contains a number of policies that support housing in proximity to transportation infrastructure. Specific policies include:
• Encourage schools, parks, shops, and services to be located within walking distance of residential areas or in proximity to active transportation and/or transit networks
• Continue to enact policies and regulations that encourage an adequate supply of affordable and special needs housing in the City that is safe, appropriately designed, and conveniently located to shops, services, and transit.
• Applications to amend the OCP or rezone for residential development will be considered in relation to a number of objectives including directing development to be within close proximity to existing transit corridors and ensure neighbourhood design can accommodate future transit opportunities.
• Explore options to incorporate regulations into the Zoning Bylaw that allow for end-of-trip facilities for cyclists such as bicycle storage and racks in new developments to support and encourage commuter travel by bicycle. Encourage existing developments to provide such facilities where applicable.
• The land use map designated the high-density corridor along Victoria Avenue which is located on a transit route as well as the Rotary Trail multi-use path network.
• Encourage the development of pedestrian-friendly and active transportation infrastructure (e.g. sidewalks, bike lanes) as new residential development occurs.
• Identify opportunities in the Zoning Bylaw for reducing parking requirements for residential units located near key amenities to encourage transportation via active modes.
Housing Actions Since Receiving Housing Needs Reports
Interim HNRs are required to include a description of action taken since by the City since receiving their most recent housing needs reports. The City’s first housing needs report was prepared and received in 2020. Since then, the City of Cranbrook has undertaken a number of significant actions to try and reduce housing needs. In no specific order the City of Cranbrook has:
1. Commissioned and received an update Housing Needs Report in 2023 to update the City’s housing needs estimates from the 2020 report.
2. City of Cranbrook Our Path to 2042 OCP project – new official community plan (pending adoption Jan 2025) integrates the 2023 housing needs estimates, new Housing policy section, designation of high density corridors
3. Council approved zoning amendments for a homeless shelter in 2020.
4. Initial application to Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) with application being unsuccessful; Invited to reapply and a new, updated application was submitted (awaiting results)
5. Creation of the Mayor’s Housing Task Force and Homelessness Task Force
6. Development of the City of Cranbrook Housing Strategy by consultant and Housing Task Force which was accepted by Council in July 2024. Council authorized continuation of the task force.
7. City initiated implementation of top recommendation in Housing Strategy to develop a framework for a housing entity for Cranbrook.
8. Pursuing a BC Builds submission for a City owned property
9. Small scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) zoning bylaw amendments adopted in June 2024 (up to 4-plex as of right zoning).
10. Investigating and pursuing other housing project opportunities.
Appendix 1
