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Legalizing Secondary Suites
The Issue
Greater Victoria has one of the lowest rental accommodation vacancy
rates in Canada which produces significant challenges for people
seeking affordable accommodation. Secondary suites, although
illegal in many communities, are felt to offer one option to
increase the supply of affordable housing.
VREB Position
The VREB Board of Directors in May, 2006 voted “to support
local governments that are looking for ways to create additional
housing opportunities, such as legalizing secondary suites”.
The
stated position by both the Canadian Real Estate Association
and the British Columbia Real Estate Association is that suites
benefit communities by:
- Enabling first-time buyers to more easily afford mortgage payments
by providing another source of revenue;
- Allowing seniors to age in place;
- Assisting low income renters;
- Providing housing that is respectful of various cultures and household
compositions;
- Making better use of existing housing stock, while providing an alternative
to the development of farmland and green space.
Update
With the decision taken by City of Victoria on June 14, 2007 to
legalize secondary suites in R1-A & R1-B zones throughout
the City, eight of 13 municipalities throughout Greater Victoria
now allow secondary suites within their jurisdictions (subject
to certain restrictions imposed by individual municipalities).
These include Victoria, View Royal, Central Saanich, Sidney,
Langford, Metchosin, Colwood and Sooke. It is expected that the
District of Saanich will be the next jurisdiction to enter into
a public debate about the wisdom of legalizing suites. This debate
will likely take place as part of their review of their Official
Community Plan.
Ratification
Position ratified by the VREB Directors, September 2007.
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