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Delta on to second phase of its Housing Action Plan

Delta is moving to phase two of its Housing Action Plan. Delta council endorsed an update report from the planning department at its Feb. 24 meeting.
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Delta is moving to phase two of its Housing Action Plan.

Delta council endorsed an update report from the planning department at its Feb. 24 meeting.

Phase one of the plan, which started last April, involved the preparation of a housing needs assessment, while phase two, which will be done throughout 2020, will involve the preparation of key strategies aimed at addressing areas of local housing need.

Delta received a $70,000 grant from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to develop the plan, which when complete will assess key housing needs, including the need for affordable housing, rental housing and homes for seniors, people with special needs, families and people at risk of homelessness.

Throughout the summer and early fall of 2019, city staff carried out a comprehensive program of community consultation. Engagement activities included the hosting of pop-up booths, three community workshops, three stakeholder workshops and online survey, in which 1,000 residents provided feedback and targeted stakeholder interviews.

Some of the feedback staff received from residents included Delta needing affordable housing in the form of more basement suites, affordable housing for seniors, smaller townhomes, more rental housing under $1,200 a month and a better supply of financial assistance to support transition to market housing, as well as the city considering an empty homes tax.

Staff have identified six key themes based on the feedback, including: expanding rental options, housing young people and families, supporting aging in place, supporting more integrated supportive housing options, supporting density and community character, and exploring innovative approaches to housing.

As staff continues to work on the action plan, council will be regularly updated on the progress of phase two.