Image: City of Abbotsford / YouTube

By Alyssa Conti

CUTTING RED TAPE

B.C. government boosts funding to streamline housing permit approvals

Sep 26, 2025 | 12:10 PM

VICTORIA — Local municipalities are looking to speed up housing development across the province by cutting down on red tape.

The B.C. government is investing approximately $9 million in the Local Government Development Approvals Program (LGDAP), which enhances the efficiency of local permitting systems to bring on quicker housing delivery and supply growth.

“This is about giving communities the capacity to speed up processes to get more homes built for people in their communities,” said Minister of State for Local Government and Rural Communities Brittny Anderson. “Local governments are essential partners in delivering housing.”

Through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, officials can use the funding for a range of services, from producing information booklets in Comox to the full digitization of building permits and inspections in Abbotsford.

“The City of Abbotsford is grateful to the Province for supporting municipalities in their efforts to enhance efficiency and ensure that homes are being built to meet the demands of our growing population,” said Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens.

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The third intake of the LGDAP is scheduled to open early next year, with funding expected for distribution by mid-2026.