North Cowichan has exceeded its Year 2 Provincial Housing Target, marking a strong year of housing delivery and demonstrating continued progress toward increasing housing supply in the community.
Three hundred and ninety-nine net new units were added for the reporting period from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, with a cumulative total of 540 units. This represents 44% of the five-year target of 1,233 units. 68 per cent of units are two or more bedrooms in size, and 60 per cent are dedicated rentals.
The Province of British Columbia issued North Cowichan a Housing Target Order in 2024 requiring the municipality to facilitate new housing units over five years.
“Meeting our housing target reflects the collective efforts of builders, developers, staff, Council, and community partners who are helping deliver the housing our community needs," said Amanda Young, Director, Planning Building, and Environmental. “Housing remains one of Council's key priorities and we will continue to support and expedite housing options that meet the needs of current and future residents.”
North Cowichan has undertaken a number of actions in recent years, including:
- Updating planning policies to support housing development
- Advancing initiatives identified through housing needs assessments
- Streamlining development approval processes
- Supporting a broader range of housing options throughout the municipality
Under the Province's Housing Supply Act, municipalities subject to a Housing Target Order must report annually on their progress toward achieving provincially established housing targets.