Maple Ridge, B.C., Feb 18, 2025 – Maple Ridge is making significant progress on more than two dozen initiatives to address local housing needs and meet provincial targets.
According to the City’s Housing Target Progress Report, the City is on track to meet the Province’s target of 612 new homes in Maple Ridge by June 30, 2025, while actively working on various policy and procedural changes to make it easier and faster to introduce housing.
“The City of Maple Ridge is taking bold steps to address our community’s housing needs and ensure a seamless and transparent development process,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “We’re demonstrating our commitment to achieving housing affordability through more supply that will support a liveable, vibrant, and inclusive community where everyone can thrive. We’re proud of our progress and look forward to building on this momentum.”
Provincial Housing Targets
The Province issued a Housing Target Order for Maple Ridge last June, setting out annual benchmarks as part of a five-year target of 3,954 new homes by June 30, 2029. Maple Ridge is one of 30 B.C. communities with a housing target to address the region's critical housing needs.
The report outlines key progress made toward meeting the housing targets, including:
- Housing Target for Year 1: 612 “net new” residential units by June 30, 2025.
- Completed Units (July 1–December 31, 2024): 376 “net new” homes (400 built minus 24 demolished – representing 61% of the first-year target in the first six months).
- Development Pipeline: Over 150 rezoning applications and more than 400 residential building permit applications are currently in process.
The Housing Target Progress Report was presented to Council on Feb. 4 for review and endorsed on Feb. 11. In compliance with the Provincial Housing Supply Act and Regulation, the progress report will now be submitted to the Province. The report is posted at MapleRidge.ca/HousingTarget.
Proactive Steps to Increase Housing
The City is working on various initiatives to improve the community's housing supply, diversity, and affordability—priorities reflected in the 2023-2026 Council Strategic Plan. Key actions include:
- Zoning and Policy Updates: Amending the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan to align with the requirements of Provincial Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (Bill 44) and Transit-Oriented Areas (Bill 47) legislation.
- Updated Housing Policies: Updated the Housing Needs Assessment and developed a new Housing Strategy and Housing Action Plan.
- Streamlining Development Processes: Introduced process improvements for rezoning, subdivision, and building permits. Additional process improvements are underway.
- Launched Certified Professional Program: Enabling developers to hire their own certified professionals to check for Building Code compliance.
- Efficiency and Digital Transformation: Streamlining digital development processes, aligning bylaws and policies, enhancing developer guidance, and digitizing application processes.
Other activities currently underway include:
- Concierge Service: Introducing B.C.’s first concierge service to guide applications through the process.
- Fast-Track Approvals: Implementing a priority process for projects that help meet housing targets.
- Application Turnaround Transparency: Publicizing target processing times for housing applications.
- Interactive Housing Map: Creating a new tool to help property owners easily identify what can be built on their lot.
- Amenity and Development Charges: Developing a new Amenity Cost Charges Bylaw and reviewing Development Cost Charges to support infrastructure and community amenities.
- Pre-Approved Site Plans: Developing pre-approved site plans for “Missing Middle” housing types (e.g., ground-oriented, multi-units such as fourplexes and townhomes).
- Family-Friendly Housing: Establishing a policy so families are considered in new multi-unit buildings and supporting provincial standards for accessible and adaptable requirements.
- Rental Replacement Policy: Developing a policy to replace rental units in redeveloped buildings.
For more information on the City’s housing progress and the full report, visit MapleRidge.ca/HousingTarget or contact Amanda Grochowich, Manager of Community Planning at AGrochowich@MapleRidge.ca or 604-467-7493.
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Media contact:
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249 E Media@MapleRidge.ca