CRD approves major new plans to tackle some of the region’s biggest challenges 

The Capital Regional District (CRD) Board approved three major long-term priorities last week.

According to a media release from the CRD, the three strategies are intended to establish long-term direction for regional services, infrastructure investment and organizational priorities across the region.

The three strategies are named the Regional Housing Affordability Strategy (RHAS), the Reconciliation Action Plan and the Climate Action Strategy.

Regional Housing Affordability Strategy

The Board says the updated RHAS is designed to highlight actions that provide ongoing opportunities to increase impact, clarify the CRD’s role, mobilize and focus advocacy and align resources and activities in working towards a region that provides residents with access to affordable housing that enhances livability.

According to the release, the RHAS was last updated in 2018 and reflected the CRD’s growing mandate in housing and homelessness efforts while also incorporating shifts in market conditions, demographic trends and intergovernmental policy.

Since then, the RHAS has created 1,500 new homes through the Regional Housing First Program, has administered $55.5 million through federal programs and has gained authorization of $85 million to increase the supply of affordable housing in the region.

Reconciliation Action Plan

The CRD Board says the Reconciliation Action Plan is the first of its kind for the organization, intended to establish a 10-year framework to advance reconciliation through measurable actions across its operations, programs and services.

The strategy was developed with input from First Nations communities and will support the Board in operationalizing and building on CRD Board priorities, strategic plans and government-to-government Memoranda of Understanding and Protocol Agreements.

The Board says that actions will focus on advancing Indigenous self-determination and relationship building, supporting shared prosperity through economic opportunities, respecting First Nations relationships to lands and water and fostering cultural safety through art, signage and education.

Climate Action Strategy

The Climate Action Strategy was adopted by the Board to guide climate action over the next five years.

The plan will renew the CRD’s role, approach and proposed action between 2026 and 2030, and focus on opportunities to reduce emissions and protect communities in the region, according to the release.

The Board says that these plans are intended to address some of the region’s most pressing challenges, including population growth, housing needs, climate resilience, infrastructure renewal and reconciliation.

The Board also says that while these plans are meant to establish overall direction and priorities, any resources or additional funding needed will be reviewed in the CRD’s annual budgeting process.

For more information about the CRD’s strategic plans and priorities, click here.