Affordable condo units the goal of Victoria plan

Between 10 and 15 per cent of units in new Victoria condo projects would have to be built as affordable rental units under a proposed “inclusive housing ” policy.

The idea is to provide housing in new strata developments for working people who are being priced out of the Victoria housing market, said Jonathan Tinney, the city’s director of planning.

“This isn’t supportive housing where these are high-needs folks,” he said. “These are just households that happen to make a little bit less money than some of the people living as their next-door neighbours.”

City staff estimate demand for below-market-price rental at 124 units a year — 20 per cent of the anticipated annual housing demand of 520 units.

Those 124 units would include 74 for singles earning between $20,000 and $55,000 a year and 50 family units of two or more bedrooms, affordable to those earning between $35,000 and $85,000 a year.

Mayor Lisa Helps called the recommendations “a good start,” noting she would like to see more focus on the provision of affordable three-bedroom units.

Helps would like council to consider allowing 10 per cent more density in downtown developments than spelled out in the Official Community Plan in exchange for additional affordable units.

“Overall, this is the direction we need to move,” she said.

“Victoria is an inclusive city, and, if we want it to remain that way, we need to ensure that regular working people have homes here.”

The inclusive housing policy would replace the city’s bonus density policy, making affordable housing units a priority over other amenities.