The City of Surrey is reporting significant progress in achieving its goals in the Housing Action Plan in its semi-annual Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) progress report. In December 2023 the City received approval for $95.6M dollars from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to provide financial incentives to remove barriers to housing supply, accelerate growth, and support community development over the next three years. The progress report comes six months into this three-year project.
“Increasing housing supply and removing barriers to housing are a top priority as more people move to Surrey,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and we continue to work to address housing challenges to support our community. We are committed to creating housing options that are inclusive and sustainable. As the City works quickly to meet the growing demand, it is crucial that the Province also prioritizes funding for critical infrastructure that will support the influx of new residents, including schools, healthcare facilities, and public transportation systems that are essential to the well-being and quality of life for all Surrey residents.”
As of May 2024, the City has issued approvals for 5,200 net new dwellings, surpassing the expected annual average. Several enhancements have been initiated from the HAF Action including: Updates to the Development Cost Charges exemptions for affordable housing projects; launch of the Development Inquiry Assistant (DIA), an artificial intelligence tool designed to provide users with general information about the permitting process; and Initiation of the Rapid Transit Incentive Program and Non-Market Rental Incentive Program.
For full list visit: https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/news/city-reports-significant-progress-housing-action-plan
