Project Update

On 2026-JULY-27, Council gave third reading to "Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.256" (Social Housing Zone). Final consideration of adoption of the bylaw by Council is schedule for 2026-SEPT-21. 

The Pre-Zoning for Social Housing project engagement summary results and proposed 'Social Housing Zone' are now ready. Thank you to everyone who provided their input. Your feedback has been summarized in the ‘What We Heard – Engagement Summary' and used to the inform the drafting of a ‘Social Housing Zone’ which is proposed to form part of the Zoning Bylaw. For more information, refer to the following documents:

• Council Report | Pre-Zoning for Social Housing
• What We Heard | Engagement Summary
• Social Housing Zone | Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2026 No. 4500.256

About This Initiative

WHAT IS SOCIAL HOUSING?

This initiative is proposing to pre-zone land to allow for the development of social housing.

ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE

The City of Nanaimo has launched a new initiative that explores pre-zoning land in certain areas, to accelerate the delivery of affordable housing, by removing the requirements for a rezoning. This initiative has been identified as a Council priority action in the  Integrated Action Plan (Priority Action #69). 

This initiative responds to challenges non-profit housing providers have with the timelines associated with rezonings, impacting their ability to secure funding. By streamlining the approval process, this initiative helps projects move forward more quickly.

WHAT IS PRE-ZONING?

Pre-zoning is a planning tool used by local governments to proactively change zoning to align with long-term land use plans, like City Plan, the City’s Official Community Plan. This means developments would not require a rezoning, but still be subject to development permit, works and services agreements and building permit approvals. 

GOAL OF PRE-ZONING FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

To pre-zone land to expedite the delivery of social housing, by removing the requirement for a rezoning, where social housing is provided. This initiative responds to a gap in the supply of affordable housing and the challenges non-profit housing providers have in securing fundings to build social housing. By removing the need for a rezoning, projects can move forward more quickly.

This initiative is optional, and incentive based. A property owner can develop under current zoning, or choose the proposed 'Social Housing Zone' option. For more information about the proposed 'Social Housing Zone', view the Social Housing Zone (Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 4500.256).

HOUSING NEEDS IN NANAIMO

This initiative responds to housing needs identified in the City of Nanaimo's Housing Needs Report (2024): 

• The City of Nanaimo will need 12,962 new housing units for 2021-2031 (10-years).
• 7,001 (54%) of the units will need to be non-market housing units.
• Of the 54% of non-market units, 5,784 units (45%) need to be social housing, and 1,217 units (9%) supportive housing.

PROJECT TIMELINE 

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

Please reach out to staff if you have any questions on this project.