Salmon Arm is one of 12 municipalities being added to a list of B.C. communities with targets for the provision of new homes.
Other municipalities being added include Coldstream, Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland, Lake Country, Parksville, Peachland, Penticton, Qualicum Beach, Summerland and Vernon.
"Many of these communities are already taking steps to increase housing supply," said B.C.'s Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs in a May 29 media release. "Joining the program will support them in accelerating homebuilding and meeting the needs of their growing populations."
Each community on the list is given a specific number of new homes that must be built in the municipality with benchmarks that must be met along the way.
"As we add new communities to the housing targets program to keep up with demand, we will continue to work together with municipalities to make sure more people can find homes that fit their needs and budgets," said Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.
Other communities announced in 2024 will soon be given targets.
B.C.'s Housing Supply Act, implemented in 2023, enables government to establish housing targets for communities based on areas of greatest need and highest projected growth. The ministry said achieving the targets within five years "will help communities address projected population growth and local housing demands."
