The Province of British Columbia is committed to working with municipalities to expedite the municipal approvals process for social and supportive housing units by funding
pre-development costs for designated sites to ensure they will be ready for construction within a year.

Overview
On October 12, 2007, the Province of B.C. announced a range of new and expanded measures to break the cycle of homelessness . As part of this announcement, the Province committed to funding pre-development costs for new supportive housing units on city-owned sites to ensure they will be ready for the start of construction within a year. The pre-development costs include costs for third-party work, such as architectural, geotechnical and environmental plans and studies. This announcement built on the provincial housing strategy, Housing Matters BC , which was announced in October 2006.

Vancouver 12 Sites
On November 7, 2007, the Province of British Columbia and the City of Vancouver announced a proposal to expedite the approval of up to 1,200 new social and supportive housing units on 12 city-owned sites. Click here for the Vancouver Memorandum of Understanding or to read the news release .

Victoria 3 Sites
On January 22, 2008, the Province of British Columbia and the City of Victoria announced a proposal to build over 170 units of new and upgraded social and supportive housing units on three sites. Click here for the Victoria Memorandum of Understanding or to read the news release .

Kelowna 3 Sites
On March 19, 2008, the Province of British Columbia and the City of Kelowna announced a proposal to build up to 140 units of new social and supportive housing units. Click here for the Kelowna Memorandum of Understanding or to read the news release .

Surrey 2 Sites
On April 14, 2008, The Province of British Columbia and the City of Surrey announced a proposal to build up to 106 new supportive housing units. Click here for the Surrey Memorandum of Understanding or to read the news release .