City of Langford “Let’s Keep it Affordable”

Union of BC Municipalities Annual Conference – September 29th, 2011

Local Context: City of Langford, BC

Where we were…

Formerly an un-incorporated area of the Capital Region

Incorporated 1992

Population of ~15,000 @ incorporation

Marked by a lack of amenities

The Cost of Homeownership

• In greater Victoria, the average selling

price of a single-family house has consistently been above $575,000 since 2009.

• Land and construction costs have doubled in

past 10 years.

The Availability of Rental Accommodation

• Consistently low vacancy rates in past 10 years;

• Current vacancy rate @ 2.5% (source: CMHC -Spring 2011)

Langford’s Affordable Housing Strategy

• Inclusivity not segregation

• Pursuit of both market and non-market (subsidized) options

• Diversity of housing types

• Diversity of income groups

• Diversity of tenure

(both rental and owner-occupied))

Creating Diversity in the Market Allowing, through Zoning:

o fee simple lots as small as 220 m2 (2368 ft2);

o fee simple townhouses;

o detached building stratas (multi-unit sites as well as detached duplexes);

o micro cottages on fee simple lots less than 220 m2;

o secondary suites in single family dwellings;

o mandatory secondary suites in some zones;

o secondary “flex units” in some apartment and townhouse zones;

o secondary suites in accessory buildings (carriage houses);

Fee Simple Small lots (220m2 2,950ft2) (with form and character controlled by Development Permit)

Fee Simple (non-strata) townhouses

- Lot size 180m2 (1,937ft2) -

Secondary suite in an accessory building (carriage homes)

More Carriage Homes

Micro Cottages

Micro Cottages

6 Unit Apartment (strata) integrated into existing single family neighbourhood

Comprehensive Zoning: Integrated Housing Types

Under

building Parking

• 8 unit apartment building

Mixed Use Residential & Commercial

Mixed Use: Residential, Commercial and Live-Work Units

Rental Apartment with Flex Units

Integrated Market and Non-Market Housing

Questions?

Matthew Baldwin, MCIP

City Planner City of Langford

www.cityoflangford.ca