Part B: Ministry of Office of Housing and Construction Standards

Highlights of the Year

Creation of a Ministry Responsible for Housing

A key change introduced in the summer of 2005 and reflected in the revised 2005/06 Service Plan was the creation of a Housing Department within the Ministry of Forests and Range. Previous responsibility for housing programs had been split among several Ministries. The Housing Department brought together key areas of government devoted to addressing the broad housing needs of British Columbians.

The Housing Department assumed responsibility for provincial building policy, housing policy, safety policy, and the Residential Tenancy Office. In addition the Department has responsibility for the BC Housing Management Commission (BC Housing), the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO), the Building Policy Advisory Committee, the Building Appeal Board and the Safety Standards Appeal Board.

By bringing together these responsibility areas government can better align and focus its efforts to find new ways to provide affordable housing options and improved access to safe and stable housing for all British Columbians.

At the beginning of Fiscal 2006/07, the Housing Department was renamed the Office of Housing and Construction Standards to better reflect the range of programs within its mandate. At the same time, the Residential Tenancy Office became the Residential Tenancy Branch. The Housing Department and the Residential Tenancy Office will be referred to as the Office of Housing and Construction Standards and the Residential Tenancy Branch respectively throughout this Annual Report.

Award to Working Group of the Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions

The Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions, made up of the Premier (chair), three Cabinet Ministers and five Mayors, developed an integrated comprehensive approach to address those challenges in our communities. The Task Force was assisted by a Working Group of senior provincial and municipal officials. Through a unique series of partnerships amongst three levels of government, First Nations and the non-profit sector, the Task Force and Working Group undertook 12 housing developments in 9 communities throughout the province. An external panel of judges recognized the complexity of the partnerships by awarding the Working Group the 2005/06 Premier's Innovation and Excellence Award in the partnerships category.

Expanded Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) benefits

Effective October 1, 2005, the provincial government doubled its funding for rent assistance under the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program. This was done to recognize the rising rents in the private rental market in many parts of the province. Rent ceilings have been increased across the entire province, and separate rent ceilings have been established for the higher average rents in the Greater Vancouver Regional District.

The program has also been expanded to include seniors who pay pad rental fees for owner occupied manufactured homes. This enhancement will help senior renters to continue living independently in their own homes.

Implementation of the Integrated Call Centre for the Residential Tenancy Branch

In April 2005 the Residential Tenancy Branch began implementing an integrated call centre. Using new systems and technologies, landlords and tenants with BC electronic identification (BCeID) may now submit applications for arbitration over the Web, and they are notified of the hearing date by e-mail, saving them time and effort. Since the electronic application procedure was implemented approximately 400 applications per month (approximately 25 per cent) are being received over the Internet.

Continuing work on an initiative to reform regulations supporting safety in the design, construction and occupancy of buildings

In 2005/06 the Office of Housing and Construction Standards made significant progress on a project to assess the need to reform regulations that support safety in the design, construction and occupancy of buildings.

The BC Building Code and BC Fire Code are two cornerstone regulations in the system to support safety. However, these regulations exist in a context of provincial laws and local government bylaws. In response to industry requests to make the regulatory context more rational, the Office of Housing and Construction Standards launched the Modernization Strategy.

In 2005/06, activities centred on assessing the need for change, and identifying areas for potential change that would have the greatest positive impact. Those who use the BC Building Code and BC Fire Code, as well as people who are impacted by these regulations, helped identify, prioritize and assess issues. The Office of Housing and Construction Standards analyzed their input, along with previous reports and studies. The following five areas were identified as the focus of work over the next four years:

Tools for Communities

The Safety Policy and Liaison Branch was instrumental in developing an innovative approach to mitigating safety risks posed by marijuana grow operations. This approach was developed in collaboration with local governments on the lower mainland and in the Okanagan and a new strategy to address the safety issues was presented at a Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) workshop in September 2005. Following a very positive response at the UBCM, and support of the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, amendments to the Safety Standards Act have been developed in consultation with BC Hydro and other electrical utilities in the province. These amendments will enable local governments and the police to address the significant safety issues in residential neighbourhoods.

Following the Ontario model, the Safety Policy and Liaison Branch helped to establish a BC Common Ground Alliance for the purpose of ensuring safer excavations around underground electrical, gas and other utilities. The Alliance is co-chaired by the BC Construction Association and the BC Safety Authority. Work began to develop "best practices" guides on several topics.

The enactment of the Monetary Penalties Regulation under the Safety Standards Act on March 31, 2005 gives the BC Safety Authority and local governments tools to ensure compliance with the Act. The branch also made presentations on the use and application of monetary penalties to the Act administrators.

In 2005/06, the Water Conservation Plumbing Regulation, a regulation under the Community Charter, was amended to increase water conservation measures in self-identified local governments by requiring that new installations of toilets consume no more than six litres per flush. This self-identification process is a new approach for building regulation. It achieves the provincial government's interest in consistent building regulation while allowing local governments to determine whether they wish regulations for a particular topic.

In 2005/06, the Housing Policy Branch promoted innovative practices for improving market housing affordability by leading a workshop at the annual UBCM conference. The half-day session illustrated how local governments across BC have been using community planning initiatives, land use planning and zoning tools, financial incentives, and design guidelines to increase the supply and general affordability of market housing. The session was well received and further workshops are being planned for the upcoming year.