Thank you to all those who participated. The results from the Increasing Housing Options engagement are now published! Please see link under 'Project Documents'.

The proposed recommended changes resulting from the ‘Increasing Housing Options’ project as well as the new ‘Provincial Housing Legislation (Bill 44 and Bill 47)’ were presented to Council on May 6, 2024. For more information, refer to the staff report titled Increasing Housing Options and Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing | (Item 12(e) of the agenda. A video recording of the meeting is also available for viewing | May 6, 2024 Council |Video | Increasing Housing Options + Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing | Tune in at 50:50 minute mark.

Increasing Housing Options is a series of recommended changes aimed at making housing more attainable in Nanaimo.

These recommendations are in response to City Plan - Nanaimo ReImagined, where we heard the community's desire to prioritize creating affordable housing. ‘Increasing Housing Options’ is a set of four proposed changes to increase the types of housing options available to Nanaimo residents.

These four projects will seek to increase rental housing stock and diversity by amending existing suite regulations, encourage gentle infill and intensification in existing neighbourhoods, and require much-needed family-friendly and adaptable units in multi-unit housing developments.

Click on the four projects below to learn more:

In addition to these four initiatives, the City is currently working on various other actions to create more housing options. These will be presented to residents for feedback at a future date and include:

1. Tenant Relocation Policy considerations;
2. Building more supportive housing in partnership with BC Housing;
3. Consider prezoning land in 'urban centre' and 'corridor' designations for affordable housing;
4. Support to Rent Bank & Rent Supplement Programs in Nanaimo;
5. A 'Woodgrove Area Plan'; and
6. Short Term Rentals review