In 2023, the City of Kelowna received up to $31.5M from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). The purpose of the HAF is to encourage local governments to increase the supply of new housing to meet the needs of a growing population. The HAF requires the City of Kelowna to permit approximately 7,000 new housing units by October 2026.
Under one of the HAF Initiatives, the City is leading a pilot project to explore pre-zoning select Transit Supportive Corridors (TSCs) to allow for more housing. TSCs are also identified as a key policy direction in the City's 2040 Official Community Plan.
Why pre-zoning?
TSCs are not currently pre-zoned, meaning properties along TSCs must rezone on a case-by-case basis, adding time and uncertainty to projects - which slows down the delivery of much-needed homes in our community, make homes costly to build and, in turn, can make housing less affordable.
Benefits of Transit Supportive Corridors
Accommodating more housing and services along TSCs—when combined with investment in transportation—can provide economic, environmental, and social benefits including:
- Optimized infrastructure and transit spending. Compact development reduces infrastructure costs, allowing more people to be served per dollar invested.
- Amplified economic impact. Transit-oriented development aligns with grants, attracts private investment, supports existing and new businesses, and improves access to jobs.
- Reduced impact on natural areas. Focusing growth along TSCs reduces pressure to develop on the edges of our city.
- Reduced climate impacts. Better access means less driving, which reduces carbon emissions.
- Improved health outcomes. Residents of compact neighbourhoods with non-car options are healthier and live longer than residents in car-dependent areas.
Project outcomes
Staff are working to develop a Land Use Concept, zoning changes, and revised design guidelines, and will work collaboratively to prioritize transit service along the Pilot Project TSCs if approved by Council.
