Housing Minister David Eby notes of challenges for communities like Prince Rupert in developing housing

Work in May on the Supportive Housing facility of Cranes Crossing
saw some progress made; though it doesn't appear ready
for an official opening anytime soon.

The frustration of moving forward housing proposals got a review in the British Columbia Legislature this week and as part of the discussion in the Chamber, Housing Minister David Eby used Prince Rupert as an example of some of the challenges that have been found in adding to the much needed housing stock across the province.

The topic came up as part of the Legislature Debate on Estimates for the Housing portfolio of Tuesday morning and afternoon, with Mr. Eby relaying a range of statistical reviews of housing projects that are either in development for under construction, as well as those that have been funded but not yet under construction.

The back and forth of the discussion between the Minister and BC Liberal critic Mike Bernier among others,  explored the list of programs for Housing in the province and some of the challenges towards moving forward on the NDP government's ambitious plans for more housing development in the province, particularly through the concept of the government's Housing Hub program.

During the afternoon portion of the debate, the challenges of housing for Prince Rupert received a short mention with the Minister noting of some of the challenges found in developing additional housing in the community, mainly through a lack of developers to build the homes required.

Housing Minister David Eby had a few comments on the
challenges of getting housing built in smaller communities on Tuesday

"One of the issues that we've identified in the program — I'm not sure; I think I raised it in an earlier response, but maybe not — is that some communities have a shortage of developers or non-profits or both to build housing that's needed. 

And Prince Rupert's a really good example that I've spoken about on a number of occasions. 

Here's a community that's growing incredibly economically, hundreds and hundreds of jobs added annually just at the port. 

And All the services that the people who take these jobs at the port need…. And yet the municipality really is grappling with a shortage of developers to come and build the housing for people who are going to work at the port. 

So it's not just a health care issue. If we're talking about health care workers in Rupert, we're also talking about port workers and other essential service workers in Rupert. 

I'm sure there are similar issues in Chetwynd and other smaller communities." -- Attorney General and Minister for Housing David Eby speaking in the Legislature on Tuesday

The debate over Housing made for some extensive conversation in the Legislature you can explore more of the debate from the Legislature Video feed here, the Prince Rupert mention comes just after the 4:05 PM mark.

There are a number of proposed Housing plans still in motion in the city. Two of the higher profile projects in development come from the Lax Kw'alaams led housing complex planned for 11th Avenue East, as well as the BC housing remaking of the McKay/Kootenay area of the city,.

Neither of which have seen much in the way of work since they were announced previously.

When it comes to the BC Housing plans for the Harbour View Gardens, there doesn't appear to be much progress made on the concept since the community engagement of last year, with few updates on what is ahead released through the BC Housing site.

Getting projects to the finish line has been a challenge for Prince Rupert, the current status of the Cranes Crossing Supportive Housing facility at Five Corners is a good example of that, with progress seemingly back on track towards the much delayed renovation plans, though no timeline for completion has been provided for yet.

As we outlined in February, North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice had indication that a summer completion was still the official target, though she added that it would not surprise her if that shifted towards the fall.

More notes on Housing themes across the northwest can be explored through our archive pages.