The City of Nanaimo says addressing housing needs is essential to creating more affordable housing options and with the help of residential input and recommendations, they can start building a sustainable framework to meet growing demand.
The city forecasts Nanaimo’s population will increase by 40,000 people over the next 20 years and estimates an additional 1,155 housing units annually for the next 10 years.
The city is urging residents to provide their feedback on affordable housing by participating in an online survey, or by attending a public open house that will focus on four key areas; expanding secondary suite site regulations, missing middle housing, adaptable housing for all physical abilities and housing for families.
Mayor Leonard Krog says without public support the city can’t address residential needs.
“Housing affordability and availability is a key concern for our community,” he says. “Take time to participate, whether it be at an open house or filling out the survey, your input is important to helping us address our housing needs.”
The online survey can be found on the Get Involved Nanaimo website until Sept. 29, and the open house will be held at Beban Park Social Centre on Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Between 2020 and 2022, the city engaged with residents through the Reimagine Nanaimo process. The program was adopted in July of 2022, and 1,367 building permits were issued.
