The Saanich Official Community Plan (OCP) establishes the District’s long-term vision and policy framework for managing growth, including explicit direction to increase housing supply, diversity, and affordability as a core community priority.
In response to rising housing costs, low rental vacancy rates, aging rental stock, and projected population growth requiring 15,400 new units by 2046, the OCP’s Housing Strategy outlines a coordinated, multi-pronged approach to expand options, improve affordability, protect renters, and strengthen partnerships.
1. Increase Housing Supply
- Meet Housing Needs: Deliver the provincial target of 4,610 units over five years and plan for long-term growth.
- Focus Growth Strategically: Concentrate new housing in Primary Growth Areas (Centres, Villages, Corridors) and support gentle infill in neighbourhoods.
- Remove Barriers: Streamline approvals, enable higher densities, and update policies to create a more predictable development environment. (See Housing Policy Opportunities)
- Ongoing Monitoring: Track housing delivery annually and update the Housing Needs Report every five years to align policy with emerging trends.
2. Protect and Expand Rental Housing
- Preserve Affordable Rental Stock: Maintain and reinvest in older purpose-built rentals, which provide much of Saanich’s naturally affordable housing.
- Replace Units Through Redevelopment: Require like-for-like replacement of demolished rental units and consider rental-tenure zoning to secure long-term rental supply.
- Prevent Loss Through Conversion: Prohibit strata conversions when vacancy rates are below 4%, protecting renters in tight market conditions.
- Support Non-Market Acquisition: Enable non-profits and co-ops to purchase older buildings to preserve affordability and stabilize rents.
- Regulate Short-Term Rentals: Enforce restrictions to ensure homes remain available for long-term renters.
3. Increase Affordable & Supportive Housing
- Address Deep Affordability Gaps: Many households spend more than 30% of income on housing; expanding non-market and below-market supply is essential.
- Leverage Municipal Tools: Use density bonusing, inclusionary housing expectations, and amenity contributions to secure affordable units.
- Expand Supportive Housing: Partner with BC Housing, CRD, non-profits, and Indigenous housing organizations to deliver supportive units and reduce homelessness.
4. Expand Housing Diversity
- Broaden Form & Tenure Options: Support suites, houseplexes, townhomes, apartments, co-ops, and other diverse forms to accommodate all stages of life.
- Respond to Demographic Shifts: Build more options for single-person households, seniors, families, and multi-generational living.
- Promote Complete, 15-Minute Communities: Integrate diverse housing near services, transit, schools, parks, and daily amenities.
5. Strengthen Partnerships & Advocacy
- Collaborate Across Sectors: Work with Indigenous partners, non-profits, developers, institutions, and senior governments to accelerate delivery.
- Support Regional Solutions: Align with CRD strategies to address affordability, homelessness, and shared housing pressures.
- Advocate for Tools and Funding: Pursue provincial/federal support for affordable housing, rental protection, and local government authority.
6. Promote Intergenerational Equity
- Balance Needs of Current & Future Residents: Ensure policies serve youth, families, seniors, and vulnerable populations equitably.
- Align Housing With Climate & Land Use Goals: Support compact, low-carbon growth patterns that enhance affordability, mobility, and resilience.
Housing Policy Opportunities
1. Zoning Bylaw Modernization
To enable higher densities and more predictable outcomes, Saanich should update zoning regulations such as:
- Density permissions (FAR/height) in Centres, Villages, and Corridors.
- Allowable housing forms in traditional neighbourhoods (e.g., houseplexes, multi-suite homes, townhomes).
- Parking standards, particularly near transit, to reduce barriers to infill and mid-rise development.
- Setbacks, massing, and lot coverage rules that currently restrict efficient building forms.
- Rental tenure zoning where needed to secure long-term rental supply.
- Updating the zoning bylaw is one of the most direct ways to reduce unnecessary variance requests and speed up approvals.
2. Development Permit Area (DPA) Guidelines
Design guidelines often add time and uncertainty. Updates should include:
- Clear, objective design standards instead of subjective criteria.
- Simplified DPA boundaries aligned with the new land use structure.
- Pre-approved design templates or “pattern books” for small-scale infill (houseplexes, multiplexes).
- Flexibility in form and massing when achieving housing supply or affordability goals.
- Modernized DPAs reduce interpretation disputes and streamline staff review.
