The B.C. government this morning announced 56 local governments will share $9 million in funding to fast-track development approvals and accelerate the delivery of homes, including the City of Fernie.

The Local Government Develop Approvals Program, administered through the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), helps local governments develop innovative ways to improve development-approval processes to help non-profit housing organizations, developers and other stakeholders deliver homes quicker and increase housing supply.

The $9-million grant programs will support streamlining local government development approvals processes for a variety of projects, such as prefabricated, modular or standardized housing designs.

The City of Fernie is getting $200,000 to make enhancements to improve record retrieval speed, ensure compatibility with the BC Building Permit Hub and build alignment with future provincial systems, the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs reported.

Cori Ramsay, president, UBCM, said: “Getting the homes British Columbians need approved, built and available requires all orders of government and industry to work together to improve development approvals processes. Across B.C., local governments are investing in practical solutions to streamline approvals, including digitizing permitting systems, adopting standardized housing designs, and modernizing processes. UBCM is pleased to partner with the province to deliver the Local Government Develop Approvals Program, helping communities strengthen their capacity to support the timely delivery of much-needed housing.”

“Our focus from the start has been on helping people across B.C. find housing that fits their needs and budgets. That can look very different in different communities,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “With the Local Government Development Approvals Program, local governments can improve their internal processes and development approvals, so that we can speed up the delivery of homes for people living and working in B.C.”

“The province is building the housing people in B.C. need, with more than 99,000 homes built or underway,” said Brittny Anderson, Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities. “We’re going to continue our strong partnerships to build so British Columbians are able to afford to rent, to own and stay in the communities they work in, where their families are and where they call home.”

More than 70 applications were received for the 2026 intake of the Local Government Development Approvals Program, which closed March 13.

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