Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart is saying the municipality is doing everything it can’t to meet it’s provincially mandate housing target.
That’s after the province put it on its so-called “naughty list” of cities that aren’t building homes fast enough.
Coquitlam was added to the fourth round of municipalities receiving targets in May. The city is expected to build 6,481 new homes over the next five years, representing 75 per cent of its housing needs, according to the province.
Stewart told 1130 NewsRadio that it expects to meet and exceed its target, but that the associated infrastructure is just as important.
“In order to produce housing, you also have to have pipes in the ground. You have to build roads and intersections and handle the traffic associated with the roadways,” he said, adding that schools and hospitals are big ticket items needed that only the province can provide.
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He says the province hasn’t upheld its side of the bargain.
“We’re the largest city in the province that doesn’t have a hospital,” he said. “We’re also waiting for several schools to be built.”
BC Housing Minister Christine Boyle said she understands the concerns of local governments.
“We know that growth without planning can lead to traffic jams and long wait lists and frustrated parents trying to get into swimming lessons,” she said at an event announcement Tuesday.
Boyle was announcing a $326 million federal investment for local governments to fund infrastructure upgrades.
Under the current model, private developers shoulder the costs for many of these improvements that then trickle down into higher housing costs.
“Population growth is now being funded primarily out of new homes, meaning those that don’t own homes are the ones funding population growth,” Stewart said.
Boyle said tackling the housing crisis requires a team effort by all levels of government.