What is a Housing Needs Assessment?

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has completed a Housing Needs Assessment to better understand housing challenges across Electoral Areas A, C, D, E, F, G and H. 

A Housing Needs Assessment is a report that describes current and anticipated housing needs in a community by collecting data, analyzing trends and speaking with community members. It is also a relatively recent requirement under the Local Government Statutes (Housing Needs Reports) Amendment Act, 2018 which requires Local Governments to develop a Housing Needs Report every five years to better inform and understand the kind of housing most needed in their communities by identifying existing and projected gaps in housing supply.

All housing needs reports are required to contain the following, based on an analysis of the information collected:

• Statements about key areas of local need, including: affordable housing, rental housing, special needs housing, seniors housing, family housing, and shelters and housing for people at risk of homelessness
• The number of housing units required to meet current and anticipated housing needs for at least the next five years, by housing type. Housing ‘type’ is defined as dwelling size (number of bedrooms)
• The number and percentage of households in core housing need and extreme core housing need

Regional District of Fraser-Fort George Housing Needs Assessment Report 

Housing Needs Assessment – No Appendices

Appendix ‘A’ – Regional Engagement Summary 

Appendix ‘B’ – Community Housing Profiles 

Appendix ‘C’ – Housing Planning Tools for Local Governments

Appendix ‘D’ – Housing Indicators and Monitoring Guide

Appendix ‘E’ – Community Data Tables 

Appendix ‘F’ – Provincial Summary Forms 

A public information session was held December 9 to review the report and its findings with Regional District residents.
Funding support for the Housing Needs Assessment project was provided by Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT) and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).