Port Alberni Faces Housing Crunch as City Aims for 1,200 New Units in 5 Years

In Port Alberni, a city of nearly 20,000 residents on central Vancouver Island, a lack of housing stock has driven rents to unaffordable levels, with prices outpacing household income by 33 per cent since 2020. An interim housing report presented to city council in December calls for over 1,200 new housing units within the next five years to alleviate the growing pressure on the market.

“That is a large number of new housing units of varying types for our community,” said Scott Smith, Port Alberni’s director of development services. “We need to have good policy about where that can go, what type of housing that can look like, and show how that can be enabled in our community.”

Housing Crisis by the Numbers:

• House Prices: Increased 52 per cent since 2020.

• Rental Affordability: Rents outpaced household incomes by 33 per cent.

• Housing Demand: 1,200+ units needed by 2029 to meet demand.

Finding Solutions:

Official Community Plan Update

The city plans to review its Official Community Plan (OCP) this year, a provincial requirement every five years, to strategize on zoning and long-term housing needs. Smith said this will involve identifying areas for development and enabling diverse housing types to accommodate the growing population.

Partnerships with Community Organizations

Local organizations like the Port Alberni Low Energy Housing Society (PALEHS) are working to build affordable, energy-efficient housing. The group’s Maitland Street Village, completed in 2022, has become a model for mid-density, affordable housing with tiered rent options.

“We’re ready to build more, but the challenge is finding land,” said PALEHS chair Mike Rattan. He suggested the city lease municipally owned land for housing projects.

First Nations Contributions

First Nations are playing a significant role in addressing housing needs. The Ahousaht First Nation began building a complex for 35 families in 2023, while the Tseshaht First Nation has acquired land for off-reserve housing in the city.

“It’s great to see First Nations become more involved in developing housing,” said Smith. “They’re looking at housing not just for their own members, but for the community at large.”

Path Forward

The city acknowledges the need for collaboration with the private sector, community groups, and First Nations to meet its ambitious housing targets. Smith emphasized the importance of zoning policies and partnerships to unlock development potential.

As Port Alberni works to overcome its housing challenges, initiatives like leasing city-owned land and encouraging innovative solutions from all stakeholders will be crucial in addressing the growing demand.

“Housing is a shared responsibility,” said Smith. “The more partners we have, the better.”