Skip to content

Throwback: Government lease scheme for Delta housing

Delta had to accommodate the “lion’s share” of housing to accommodate population growth in the region.
delta housing needs
Over a 24-month period ending April 30, 1973, the city issued 3,476 building permits for new housing, almost all single-detached dwellings.

Delta had to accommodate the “lion’s share” of housing to accommodate population growth in the region.

An October 1973 story in the Delta Optimist noted Lorne Nicolson, the housing minister-designate at the time, made the remark while wrapping up second reading on the Department of Housing Act.

Nicolson said he recognized that there was opposition to further residential expansion in Delta but, unlike most Lower Mainland areas, the municipality “does have land outside the agricultural reserve that is well suited for housing.”

However, the government had not yet acquired land in Delta specifically for housing, he said.

A spokesperson said a government plan was to buy land and lease it to people on a 60-year basis with the cost of servicing borne by the province.

Under the lease plan, people would be required to put up a $200 deposit which would be forfeited if the house was not substantially constructed within a year.

The lessee would not be required to pay any interest within a year.

It was part of a new Housing Incentive Fund at the time.

NDP backbencher Carl Liden of Delta, however, said that because his municipality had been growing at a far greater rate than any other municipality in B.C., it was having trouble paying for its services and not eager to expand its population.

The lease plan never took off in Delta.

Fast forward to 2020 and the city is currently undertaking a new housing strategy, having completed a housing needs assessment and consultations.

A civic report notes that one of the themes that emerged includes Delta needing to explore innovative approaches to housing.

Meanwhile, on another front, the city is also currently putting together the Scott Road Housing Task Force to provide recommendations on redeveloping the corridor to create more diverse, affordable housing options.

Back in 1973, the city undertook a similar study for Scott Road to see where more apartments and higher density housing could be located.