Housing

The City of Campbell River, in collaboration with provincial organizations, is working to understand and address the housing needs in our community. This work is based on regular studies and assessments.

Housing affordability is a growing issue in the City of Campbell River. With housing prices increasing and local economic generators facing challenges, many residents have felt the financial impact. Further, like in many other cities, homelessness has become a more prominent issue.

The City has undertaken a variety of measures focused on addressing the housing affordability problem. This includes:

providing for diversity in housing types
supporting social housing projects
allowing secondary suites in several zones
addressing the issue of homelessness.

Housing Studies and Assessments

The City has two current studies that look at the current and future housing demand and needs of our community. Additionally, the Livability Assessment Report looks at a number of factors that contribute to livability is Campbell River neighbourhoods:

2020 Housing Needs Report

The British Columbia Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing requires all municipalities to produce a Housing Needs Report. This requirement is meant to create an accurate and complete picture of the housing situation in communities across the province. Our current Housing Needs Report satisfies this mandate, and will serve the City from 2021 to 2025.

To create this report, the City has gathered data and analyzed housing trends. The report then uses this data to outline current and anticipated housing needs.

In January 2025, the City completed an Interim Housing Needs Report, which serves as an appendix to the 2020 Housing Needs Report. This update incorporates revised Provincial methodologies and provides updated housing projections for Campbell River

Read the 2020 Housing Needs Report [PDF/2.8MB]

2019 Housing Growth Review

The City worked with Dillon Consulting to complete the Housing Growth Review. This review is a response to our community's continued growth. As we grow, we aim to follow good planning practices that adhere to the Sustainable Community Plan. In particular, this plan looks at the question of expanding the boundaries for urban development.

Read the 2019 Housing Growth Review (Dillon Consulting) [PDF/9.8MB]

Housing Strategy

The Housing Strategy builds upon the findings from the 2020 Housing Needs Report and the 2019 Housing Growth Review.

Campbell River has traditionally offered relatively more affordable housing options compared to other Vancouver Island communities. However, since 2010, rising demand and population growth have increased pressure on housing prices and rental availability. Based on current projections, the city's population could reach almost 42,000 residents by 2045. The City created the Housing Strategy to ensure we can accommodate this growth.

Read the Housing Strategy [PDF/8.1MB]

Supportive Housing for Campbell River

Q'waxsem Place

Together, BC Housing, the City of Campbell River, and the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society (VIMHS) have built 50 new homes at 580 Dogwood Street. Q'waxsem Place is a supportive housing building that provides homes for community members experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Please visit Let's Talk Housing BC to learn more about the project.

Homewood

In partnership with BC Housing, the City has supported the development of Homewood, a 40-unit temporary housing facility located at 1299 Homewood Road. This project opened in 2024 and provides 24/7 support for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Please visit Homewood: Temporary Housing Units to learn more.

The Housing Accelerator Fund

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a federal initiative administered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to accelerate housing supply by supporting local governments in removing barriers to development and streamlining processes. The City of Campbell River entered into a HAF Contribution Agreement with CMHC in January 2024, securing eligibility for up to $10.4 million in funding.

Learn more about the Housing Acceleration Fund.