Port Coquitlam, BC – May 26, 2021… A new survey kicking off today in Port Coquitlam will help the City make informed decisions to meet local housing needs now and in the future.

People living or seeking housing in Port Coquitlam are encouraged to take a housing needs survey at portcoquitlam.ca/housingneeds by June 14 about their housing experience and needs, including preferred types of housing and barriers in finding or maintaining housing.

“Housing is a basic need for all people. To properly plan for the future, it’s important that we get a complete picture of people’s housing needs, experiences and challenges,” Mayor Brad West said. “As a city, we have an important role to play in making sure that our policies and future development helps create the housing and other amenities that meet the needs of all residents through all stages of their lives. It’s all part of creating a complete community.”

The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and covers topics such as availability of housing, barriers to housing, affordability, preferred types, accessibility and other challenges. Respondents are also asked for ideas about potential solutions.

Communities across B.C. are conducting similar housing needs assessments, with provincial funding support for assistance from a consultant.

“This is a chance for Port Coquitlam residents to have a say in the future of housing in our community,” said Cllr. Glenn Pollock, Council’s designate for housing matters. “Whether you’ve had challenges or not, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey and share your opinions and ideas.”

Those who complete the survey will be entered in a draw for a $100 gift card to a Port Coquitlam business of their choice – part of the City’s ongoing support of businesses through the pandemic. To qualify, surveys must be completed in full by June 14, with one entry accepted per person.

In addition to the survey, the City is conducting focus groups and other targeted engagement to collect feedback from stakeholders such as housing and service providers, large employers, and developers.

The collected information will help staff create a Housing Needs Report for Council this fall that provides a detailed picture of existing housing supply, current and future housing needs, challenges and opportunities.

The report will inform a review of the City’s rental policies and ground-oriented housing options, as well as the update to the Official Community Plan, which guides future development and land use.

The survey dovetails with the City’s ongoing work to ensure Port Coquitlam is meeting the current and future housing needs of all residents. Efforts in recent years have included:

• Facilitating projects that will bring almost 450 new affordable housing units to the community in the coming years,
• New market housing to support the revitalization of the downtown,
• Creating an Affordable and Family Friendly Housing Policy to achieve non-market rental housing in large developments, and establishing minimum family-oriented unit requirements to ensure new multifamily development includes options for families,
• Adopting a Housing Action Plan along with regulation and policy changes to permit smaller lot sizes and homes (including coach houses),
• Creating a Social Housing & Services Guide and sharing other resources posted at ca/housing.

Learn more and take the housing needs survey until June 14 at portcoquitlam.ca/housingneeds.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca