New Port Moody policy aims to connect local non-profit housing providers and developers

Port Moody plans on ensuring developers and non-profit housing providers connect at early stages of the development process.

A new motion tabled by Couns. Amy Lubik and Diana Dilworth passed with unanimous support on Tuesday, Oct. 10 to better integrate the private and non-profit sectors in the community.

Suggested requirements for developers include proof of conversations or partnerships with non-profits early on, consultations with the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group on large projects, and for the city to provide a list of local non-profit housing providers for developers to connect with.

While some councillors were wary of any conditions that would slow the application process down, Mayor Meghan Lahti said the “requirements” would only suggest best practices.

“To me, this is not a demand,” Lahti said. “The outset of a development application – that’s the time when those conversations should take place.”

The city is currently attempting to streamline its development processes after $400,000 in funding was provided by the province; the motion is intended as an addendum to those updates.

Lubik noted that affordable housing remains a critical need for residents across the spectrum.

She referenced a recent meeting with the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group, where council was informed that many residents are living in precarious situations.

The task group reported to council that some residents have been forced to find temporary accommodations with friends and family, shabby maintenance on rental stock, a lack of family sized units for lower-income families, and a lack of supportive housing.

“There are very few groups not struggling right now,” Lubik said. 

Dilworth said the city has a better understanding of the amount of local residents on the BC Housing waitlists for affordable and supportive housing since its housing needs assessment was completed.

She added growth in the Tri-Cities’ homeless population was “quite shocking.”

The Greater Vancouver’s 2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Count was published earlier this month, showing the amount of homeless people living in the Tri-Cities has more than doubled in three years.

The task group also reportedly informed council that developers are unclear on how to connect to local non-profits, which leads to them seeking partnerships at a much later date in their applications.

Dilworth said it would “go a long way” if developers were provided the city’s contact lists for local providers.

The motion states developments are more likely to get through the approval process quickly if a significant housing benefit to the city can be shown when first presented.

The Woodlands Park Development and a development on the 3000 block of Henry Street were cited as expedient examples.

“Coming to the city with clear collaboration, or potential collaboration, makes negotiations much clearer,” Lubik said. 

Additionally, forming partnerships early on will help keep people most in-need informed of affordable housing opportunities, according to Lubik.

Coun. Callan Morrison, though supportive, expressed concern over the new policy becoming too rigid in its requirements, resulting in a loss of amenities or other financial benefits to the city.

Dilworth said the motion would be in line with other city initiatives, such as its family friendly and inclusive housing policies.

“We’re not asking (developers) to do anything above and beyond what we’re already asking them,” Dilworth said.

Coun. Haven Lurbiecki said she thought the city should be requiring these conversions to occur when reviewing housing applications due to the severity of the housing crisis.

“We’ve seen what can happen if this doesn’t happen,” she said. “I think moving forward, having any large housing without substantial below-market is just not going to be acceptable.”