Port Coquitlam experienced a record year for housing approvals in 2024, but actual construction is slower than expected. Bruce Irvine, the city’s director of planning and development, told council that market uncertainty is slowing progress and the city may miss its provincial housing targets for 2025. In 2024, Port Coquitlam council approved 779 new housing units. This was a major increase from 330 units in 2023 and 545 units in 2022. The approvals were part of efforts to comply with provincial legislation aimed at easing British Columbia’s housing crisis.
Despite the approvals, housing starts across the province are declining. Irvine reported a 9.2% drop in starts, an 8.3% decrease in permit values, and a 10.8% fall in the number of new homes permitted. This slowdown is linked to changes in the housing market and uncertainty in construction planning. B.C.’s Finance Minister, Brenda Bailey, attributed the provincial slowdown to high interest rates, labour shortages, and rising construction costs. Meanwhile, Chris Gardner, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, urged the government to help municipalities fund infrastructure to support new growth.
Irvine described the past 15 months for city planning staff as a “roller coaster,” with heavy workloads from inquiries and large-scale development proposals. The city has had to adjust its resources to meet growing demand. Last year, Port Coquitlam introduced an online permit application system. It also passed new small-scale multi-unit housing zoning under Bill 44 and a transit-oriented area zoning bylaw. The city added staff to manage the increased application volume and maintain development timelines.
Planner Jennifer Little highlighted several significant projects set to come before council this spring and later in 2025. PoCo Place Mall is a major project proposing 2,000 residential units across six towers. At 1563 Shaughnessy St., a six-storey rental apartment is planned near ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park/Colony Farm. The project at 2245 McAllister Ave., formerly called The Met, will add 22 units to the previous design. New View Society is partnering with BC Housing to build 74 homes for people with mental illness at 2365 and 2371 Kelly Ave. Since Bill 44 was introduced, 23 bids have been submitted for new duplexes and townhouses, along with six coach house applications. Little noted the city is reviewing multi-family housing designs, including triplexes, to improve their form and character. She added that planning staff will consult the development community more this summer for guidance.
Irvine expects 2025 to be the busiest year for the city’s planning department yet. In addition to reviewing housing applications, the department plans to begin the first phase of the Official Community Plan update, introduce Amenity Cost Contributions, adjust Development Cost Charges, and develop a business case for TransLink projects. “We are exceptionally busy,” Irvine told council, warning that not all projects may be completed on time. Last July, the provincial government instructed Port Coquitlam to build 2,279 more homes over the next five years. To help meet this target, the city received $10.3 million from the federal government in February. The funding aims to accelerate housing development and get more construction underway.
Despite challenges, city officials remain focused on meeting provincial housing requirements while managing market uncertainty. The combination of new policies, large-scale projects, and planning initiatives signals a critical period for Port Coquitlam’s housing growth.
