The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has launched a study to get a better understanding of the region's housing needs.
The Okanagan-Similkameen Housing Needs Survey will look at both present and future housing needs and support the completion of an Interim Housing Needs Report.
Visit urbanics.limequery.com/975727?lang=en to take the survey or visit the Regional Surveys project page on RDOS Regional Connections at rdosregionalconnections.ca.
Paper copies are available upon request by calling 250-490-4148 or emailing communications@rdos.bc.ca.
The Okanagan-Similkameen Housing Needs Survey is open until Thursday, Sept. 26.
The survey is being conducted by Urbanics Consultants Ltd. on behalf of the regional district and the City of Penticton, Town of Osoyoos and Village of Keremeos.
The District of Summerland and the Town of Oliver are undertaking separate housing survey projects.
Under provincial legislation, local governments are required to complete housing needs reports to help inform land use planning. The regional district’s first housing needs report was completed in 2021, in collaboration with the City of Penticton, District of Summerland and Village of Keremeos.
On Nov. 30, 2023, the province amended the Local Government Act to allow the delivery of more small-scale, multi-unit housing, including townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes, and to fix outdated zoning rules.
The new requirements include completing an interim report on housing needs by Jan. 1, 2025. The interim report will provide information on the total number of housing units needed to meet anticipated housing needs in the next five and 20 years.
