Coquitlam says it is exceeding provincial housing targets but needs stronger investment in infrastructure to support rapid growth.
In an op-ed, Mayor Richard Stewart said Coquitlam approved nearly 9,000 new homes between 2020 and 2024, which is 38% more than required under the provincial Housing Target Order. The city has also approved close to 26,000 housing units and delivered more than 5,000 purpose-built rentals, including hundreds of below- or non-market homes.
“These are real results, achieved without provincial directives,” Stewart wrote. “The challenge isn’t approving homes. It’s ensuring they can be built and supported.”
Stewart questioned why the Province issued a Housing Target Order despite Coquitlam already exceeding its requirements. He argued that while municipalities manage land use, zoning, and approvals, they cannot control interest rates, construction costs, or labour shortages, which are factors contributing to a 20% drop in housing starts across B.C. this year.
According to the city, meeting Coquitlam’s future growth will require about $1.1 billion in school investments, $1.2 billion for transit projects, $600 million in transportation upgrades, and $228 million for childcare. Stewart also noted that Coquitlam remains the only B.C. municipality of its size without a hospital or urgent care centre.
The mayor said that tools like the Housing Affordability Strategy and the city’s rental incentive programs have delivered results, but provincial rule changes on development finance could reduce funding for parks, recreation centres, and other amenities.
“Coquitlam is not asking the Province to step back,” Stewart said. “We are asking them to step up—with sustained investment in their own areas of jurisdiction.”
Stewart said that Coquitlam has “proven we can do our part” and called on the Province to meet its responsibilities in infrastructure and services. The city is also assigned to build 6,481 additional homes under new provincial targets.
“approved nearly 9,000 new homes between 2020 and 2024, which is 38% more than required under the provincial Housing Target Order. The city has also approved close to 26,000 housing units and delivered more than 5,000 purpose-built rentals, including hundreds of below- or non-Market housing.”
Why did you approve these without securing the infrastructure to support them!!!!!