A new tool that UBC is calling the “first-of-its-kind” suggests there’s a potential pathway for building an unprecedented amount of affordable housing units on publicly owned land in B.C.
Early analysis via the B.C. Public Lands Map (BCPLM) points to 52,384 parcels of land, with the potential for 661,000 non-profit homes, with a total value of identified public lands totaling over $50 billion. UBC says it could pave the way for up to 273,000 housing units on vacant and underutilized land “in Metro Vancouver alone.”
The map was published by the UBC Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART).
“Canada has an affordable housing crisis — we have half the rate of affordable housing of other developed countries,” said Dr. Craig Jones, associate director of the Housing Assessment Resource Tools (HART) project, in a release.
“About 10 per cent of households in Canada can’t afford their housing – they can’t afford to live in this country,” Jones added.
The fully interactive map allows users to select the jurisdiction, site suitability, ownership and current use, and natural features and hazards. It also outlines access to amenities (good or excellent).
BCPLM
A release from UBC says that finding public land that’s suitable for housing has been a “slow and reactive process.”
The release mentions one piece of land in Vancouver, on Main Street and 10th Avenue.
Craig Jones in front of the building on Main and 10th. (Submitted)
“An empty federal building stands on a site that could be an affordable home ‘super star’: close to a future Skytrain station, amenities, critical infrastructure and in the heart of the city,” the release says.
“Multiple layers of data are required including whether the site is near amenities and infrastructure such as transit, water supply, grocery stores and pharmacies, natural hazard risks, slope estimates, valuation of current buildings and more,” the release adds.
UBC says that the BCPLM “flips this process” by plugging directly into data that B.C. housing organizations provide. That includes B.C. Assessment and the Land Title Survey Authority. It also includes data provided by all layers of government.
“The map provides the first province-wide, data-driven inventory of public land, enabling policymakers, non-profits, and developers to identify land that may be suitable for affordable housing development.”
Jones says, “By eliminating or reducing land costs and accelerating approvals, the tool could lower housing delivery costs, while making large-scale, non-profit and affordable housing projects more feasible.”
“It makes visible a real wealth of opportunity that’s out there but often overlooked,” Jones adds.
Jones thinks that B.C. could be a model for other governments across the country.
“Building affordable housing is hard. But this tool kickstarts the process by highlighting the opportunities that are out there that maybe people aren’t aware of.”