Summerland’s population growth means more housing will be needed for the community in the coming years.
At the Nov. 5 meeting of Summerland council, Brendan Dawe of Urbanics Consultants presented the Housing Needs Report Community Survey Summary.
The report, completed in October 2024, predicts 671 housing units will be needed within the next five years and 2,212 new housing units will be needed by 2041.
The housing construction is needed to keep up with present needs and to prepare for future population growth.
According to Dawe’s information, Summerland’s population will increase, but the growth will result in changes to the community’s structure.
He said the community’s population is expected to rise from 12,042 in the 2021 census, to 13,890 by 2041.
The number of seniors is expected to rise more significantly than the number of people 14 and under, he added.
“An aging population brings with it different housing needs,” he said. “Our whole population curve is going to be shifting.”
The housing needs survey addresses the need for additional housing units in Summerland.
At present, Summerland has a low vacancy rate, but a target vacancy rate of three per cent has been suggested.
Coun. Janet Peake said the community needs more rental units and should also address the cost of rent, which is affecting people throughout the community.
During the summer, when Urbanics Consultants was gathering input about housing in the community, people spoke of the high cost of housing in Summerland, a shortage of housing options the relationship between wages and housing costs. Some said they were unable to find apartment units within the community.
Brad Dollevoet, director of development services for Summerland, said the report will provide direction to how Summerland should grow in the future.
In 2025, the community will conduct its official community plan. The document will outline the long-term vision of the community, including addressing housing needs.
The housing needs report was received by Summerland council.
