First Nations will gain new standing as social housing suppliers in Vancouver under a proposed amendment to the City’s charter. Enabling legislation recently tabled in the British Columbia legislative assembly will convey the same exemptions from development fees that not-for-profit organizations and federal, provincial and municipal governments receive for their social housing projects.

While First Nation reserve lands within Vancouver’s boundaries are already exempt from such fees, other lands that First Nations own privately have been subject to levies the City of Vancouver collects to cover the cost of infrastructure and amenities to serve new development. Under the proposed amendments, those costs would be waived if the subject development is social housing.

“Local First Nations have the potential to be a significant supplier of housing. This amendment is intended to reduce costs for First Nations and create opportunities for development, including new social housing,” the B.C. government states.

Exemptions would apply on lands owned by a First Nations band within B.C. territory, the Nisga’a Nation, a Nisga’a village, the shíshálh Nation or any of their affiliated corporations. As with government and not-for-profit developers, Vancouver Council will have leeway to define what constitutes social housing.