THE City of Delta said on Wednesday that it is continuing to make progress on the Housing Target Order set by the Province to meet the growing needs of the community.

Delta Council on July 22 advanced amendments to the zoning bylaw that could see 589 units of housing, including apartments, townhouses, and single-detached homes added to the City’s inventory over the next few years. The list of projects also includes 138 non-market rental apartment units, helping to provide diverse and affordable housing options for the community.

“Housing is a critical issue across the region—and the City of Delta is taking decisive action to address this problem and reach the target set for us by the Province,” said Delta Mayor George V. Harvie. “These projects approved by Council are a clear example of Delta stepping up to face this challenge, while also ensuring we are making decisions that make sense for our unique community. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the housing crisis, but we know building the housing that people need is the right place to start.”

The six projects granted third reading include:

* 309 apartment units
* 138 non-market rental apartment units
* 80 townhomes
* 4 single-detached homes

The 2 projects granted final approval include:

* 56 townhomes
* 2 single-detached homes

Delta is currently on track to reach the Province’s target of 514 homes by the end of September, with 421 new units built as of June 30. The City is making progress through faster turnaround times and permit approvals, as well as simplified land use designations through the newly adopted Official Community Plan, and greater flexibility around small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH). In combination, these measures allow diverse housing options to be built more efficiently, while also ensuring sustainable growth across the community, the City said.