Core Business Areas

1. Housing

This core business area is represented by the Housing Policy Branch. This Branch provides policy advice to government on ways to address housing need along the housing continuum from homelessness to homeownership. The Branch’s role is to identify the strategic points along the housing continuum where government support can assist British Columbians to meet their housing needs and to develop appropriate programs and policies for them. Working closely with BC Housing and social development ministries, special attention is paid to the area of most acute need found among low income British Columbians who have special housing and support needs.

To support government’s efforts to help those most in need of housing and support, a new Provincial Housing Strategy will be unveiled in the upcoming year. The Strategy is a comprehensive blueprint for improving the range of housing choices available for British Columbians and will enhance the safety and stability of B.C.’s housing system. The initiatives contained in the Strategy match the level of assistance to the degree of need, they are practical, and they represent a measured response to B.C.’s housing realities. The Strategy also positions B.C. to capitalize on the federal government’s renewed interest in housing.

The Branch also provides support and guidance to the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) in its efforts to improve the quality of residential construction and increase homeowner protection in British Columbia.

2. Building and Safety Policy

Two branches, the Safety Policy and Liaison Branch and the Building Policy Branch, are responsible for the building and safety policy core business.

Maintaining and improving public safety and reducing loss of life, injury and property damage is of paramount importance to government. The Safety Policy and Liaison Branch provides policy and regulatory advice in the areas of electrical, gas, elevating devices, boiler and pressure vessel products and systems, ski lifts, amusement rides and provincial railways. As well, this Branch manages administrative agreements with delegated authorities under the Safety Standards Act.

The Building Policy Branch provides policy advice concerning British Columbia’s building regulatory system to improve building safety in the province and to manage existing and emerging technical and building policy issues. In line with the branch’s responsibility for the B.C. Building Code and the B.C. Fire Code, branch activity focuses on the development and maintenance of building regulations, as well as providing support to industry participants. The Office also acts as the secretariat to the B.C. Building Code Appeal Board.

Over the coming year, the Office of Housing and Construction Standards will proceed with an initiative to modernize the system that supports building design, construction and occupancy safety. The upcoming introduction of the next edition of the B.C. Building Code also provides an opportunity for sector participants to refresh their knowledge of the Code.

3. Residential Tenancy Office

Approximately 36 per cent of households in B.C. rent their homes. The third core business within the Office of Housing and Construction Standards, the Residential Tenancy Office, works to promote a positive relationship between landlords and tenants by providing both groups with information on their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancy Act and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act. The Office also assists landlords and tenants to resolve concerns by providing dispute resolution services including arbitrations. The Office operates in Burnaby, Victoria and Kelowna.

Presently, assisted living and supportive housing rental accommodation is not covered by legislation to protect the interests of residents and operators. Residents are often vulnerable due to age, disability or health problems. Residents and operators of this type of accommodation have no mechanism to settle disputes except through the courts, which is impractical and costly. In 2006/07 the Office will introduce a new dispute resolution mechanism for these residents.

Legislative Framework

The Office of Housing and Construction Standards has responsibility for the following legislation:

• Building Officials’ Association Act
• Commercial Tenancy Act
• Community Charter (Part of) s. 9 (1) (d)
• Fire Services Act (Part of) s. 47 (2) (g) (h)
• Homeowner Protection Act
• Local Government Act (Part of) s. 692, 693
• Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act
• Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act (s. 5, 8.1 and 10)
• Railway Safety Act
• Railway Act (s. 14–25)
• Rent Distress Act
• Residential Tenancy Act
• Safety Standards Act
• Safety Authority Act
• Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters Act