Port Coquitlam, BC – October 10, 2018… Port Coquitlam has updated its bylaws and policies to boost the city’s supply of affordable and family-oriented housing.

Tuesday night, City Council adopted a new Affordable and Family Friendly Housing Policy and amended the Density Bonus Policy, Zoning Bylaw and parking regulations to introduce new requirements for residential housing along with incentives for developers.

“The cost of housing is a key issue for everyone: existing residents, people wishing to move here, and businesses seeking a local labour force,” Mayor Greg Moore noted. “By encouraging more housing options for families and people of all ages and incomes, we’re helping Port Coquitlam continue to be a livable community.”

The changes adopted Tuesday will:

• Ensure all new multi-family housing projects include at least 25 per cent family-oriented two-bedroom units and at least five per cent three-bedroom units;
• Support the creation of more family-friendly amenity spaces;
• Support the building of new affordable housing by requiring that 10 per cent of additional density achieved through rezoning and Official Community Plan amendments be secured non-market rental units; and
• Increase the viability of family-friendly and affordable housing by reducing parking requirements for three-bedroom units and non-market rental projects, and allowing partial payment cash-in-lieu for secured market rental projects.

“Ensuring that Port Coquitlam remains affordable for families has been a priority for Council,” said Cllr. Brad West, who chairs the city’s Smart Growth Committee. “We’re doing what we can as a city to encourage developers to create the housing options we need to support residents now and in the years to come.”

The initiatives are part of the implementation of Port Coquitlam’s 2015 Housing Action Plan. Other recent actions resulting from the plan include allowing for more ground-oriented housing such as coach houses and expanding options for duplexes and small lots.

For more information, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/housing.

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For additional information, contact:

Laura Lee Richard
Director of Development Services
City of Port Coquitlam
T: 604.927.5442
richardl@portcoquitlam.ca