Vancouver takes aim at reducing permitting backlog to deliver more housing

VANCOUVER — The City of Vancouver’s councillors have voted to improve the speed of housing delivery by removing a stage in the application process and reworking prioritization.

Through the changes, the city will place higher priority on applications that deliver the highest number of net new housing units, according to a news release.

Vancouver has also removed the policy enquiry process (PEP) to streamline applications, a move Coun. Mike Klassen called a win for all the city’s residents.

“Discontinuing PEP allows city staff to focus resources on approving projects that create the maximum number of housing units and protect renters against displacement,” Klassen said in the release.