The Province of British Columbia is providing $9 million in new funding to 56 local governments through the Local Government Development Approvals Program, aimed at speeding up housing delivery by modernizing development approval systems, digitizing permitting processes, and supporting more standardized and efficient construction approaches such as modular and prefabricated housing. The program is administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and is designed to reduce delays that can slow down new housing projects across the province.
Several Northern B.C. and nearby communities are among those receiving funding in this intake, with projects focused on improving zoning reviews, upgrading digital systems, and aligning local permitting processes with the provincial BC Building Permit Hub.
Northern and regional recipients include:
- Dawson Creek – $97,000
- Houston – $150,000
- Kitimat-Stikine Regional District – $45,000
- Masset – $200,000
- North Coast Regional District – $50,000
- Port Edward – $120,000
- Smithers – $200,000
- Stewart – $95,000
- Williams Lake – $22,000
Provincial officials say the funding is intended to help local governments streamline internal processes and speed up decision-making on housing applications, while still maintaining planning standards and community oversight. Projects supported under the program range from digitizing records and improving file retrieval systems to reviewing zoning bylaws and introducing modern construction methods that can help bring housing projects online faster.
Government representatives say the broader goal is to increase housing supply across British Columbia at a time when many communities are facing growing demand and affordability pressures. Local governments, in turn, are expected to use the funding to build capacity, reduce administrative delays, and support more consistent and efficient development approvals systems that can better respond to housing needs.
