Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

Overview

In the 2005/06 Strategic Plan, government identified Five Great Goals for the decade ahead. The goals are to:

1. Make British Columbia the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent.
2. Lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness.
3. Build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, those with special needs, children at risk, and seniors.
4. Lead the world in sustainable environmental management, with the best air and water quality, and the best fisheries management, bar none.
5. Create more jobs per capita than anywhere else in Canada.

Ministry Goals

Office of Housing and Construction Standards Goals are:

1. Safety in the design, construction and occupancy of buildings.
2. Housing and support services targeted to those most in need.
3. Low and moderate income households have an expanded range of housing options.
4. Balanced landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.

Linkage to the Five Great Goals

The goals, objectives, strategies and results of Office of Housing and Construction Standards initiatives support government's third Great Goal by establishing a solid foundation for healthy living and supports for persons with disabilities, special needs and seniors.

To help build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, special needs, children at risk and seniors, the Office is:

• Implementing Housing Matters BC: A Housing Strategy for British Columbia, the Provincial Housing Strategy, including:
• delivering on the province's commitments on housing for British Columbians with low-income and/or special needs;
• delivering a new rental allowance program for low-income working families;
• re-aligning the devolved federal housing stock with provincial housing objectives;
• implementing tenant support programs so that people with special housing needs are appropriately placed in subsidized housing and linked to the necessary support services;
• implementing phase two of Independent Living BC, to increase independence of seniors with health concerns;
• improving the integration of emergency shelters and transitional housing; and
• expanding the homeless outreach program.
• Continuing to deliver transitional housing under the Premier's Task Force on Homelessness, Mental Illness and Addictions;
• Promoting accessibility for persons with disabilities through BC Building Code provisions that apply to new construction;
• Implementing amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act to extend consumer protection to seniors and persons with disabilities in assisted and supported living rental accommodation; and providing specialized dispute resolution services to help them resolve disputes with their landlords.

Cross Ministry Initiatives

Through the provision of emergency shelters, subsidized housing, residential tenancy services, and building safety regulation, the Office contributes to many cross ministry initiatives and themes. In addition to supporting the New Relationship initiative as described above, the Office also contributes to the following cross ministry initiatives:

• StrongStart BC: StrongStart BC supports the healthy development and early learning of children (birth to six). Priorities for the early years include early diagnosis for hearing, sight and dental problems; booster seat awareness; informing parents of the link between early childhood physical education and skill development; new "Strong Start Centres" for early childhood education; and language and cultural opportunities for Aboriginal children. The Office contributes to StrongStart BC by building and supporting the capacity of vulnerable families to achieve self-sufficiency through stable housing.
• Crystal Meth Strategy: Government's Crystal Meth Strategy, led by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, targets the use and production of Crystal Meth through an integrated framework that strengthens partnerships amongst communities, service providers and law enforcement agencies. The Crystal Meth Secretariat was established in 2005 to support new and continuing initiatives based on prevention, treatment and enforcement. Housing provides the foundation from which mental health and addiction services can be provided. In addition to supporting other families and individuals with special housing needs, the policies and programs developed by the Office assist in promoting self-sufficiency for persons with Crystal Meth addiction.
• The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: All provincial ministries, agencies and Crowns have been working together to ensure every available opportunity to develop sustainable economic legacies are explored and pursued so that businesses and communities in British Columbia receive benefit from the Games. The Inner-city Inclusive Olympics Housing Task Group has been formed to address housing issues leading up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver. This group is working to protect rental housing stock, to increase options for temporary accommodations, to ensure people are not made homeless, displaced or evicted as a result of the Olympics, and to provide an Olympic affordable housing legacy. The Office is participating in the Task Group, which is chaired by BC Housing.

Regulatory Reform

British Columbia continues to make regulatory reform a priority across government, making it easier for businesses to operate and succeed in British Columbia, while still preserving regulations that protect public health, safety and the environment. A citizen-centred approach to regulatory reform will reduce the number of steps it takes to comply with government requirements or access government programs and services.

The Office of Housing and Construction Standards will support regulatory reform by:

• Controlling the regulatory burden and improving regulatory quality through the Modernization Strategy;
• meeting with the regulatory criteria set out in Government's Regulatory Reform Policy; and
• working with the rest of the Ministry of Forests and Range to achieve a zero per cent increase in regulation through 2008/09.

The Office's regulatory reform initiatives are designed to ensure that its regulatory regime supports strong, safe and healthy communities. These initiatives began with the introduction of the Safety Standards Act and Regulations in 2004. The migration towards modern, harmonized and objective-based regulation continues with the 2006 publication of the new editions of the BC Building Code and BC Fire Code. For the first time, the documents include the rationale behind each provision. As code users gain familiarity with this new format, the Office will monitor the impact of this approach.

Citizen-Centred Service Delivery

Citizen-centred service delivery is a government-wide initiative to coordinate information, programs and services so that they can be presented to citizens in a way that takes their needs into account from beginning to end. The vision is to make it possible for citizens to access the government information and services they need in a simple and timely manner with a phone call, a mouse click or a visit to a service centre, no matter how many programs or ministries are involved in their request.

The Office of Housing and Construction Standards provides services indirectly through its funded agencies (e.g., BC Housing) and directly through the Residential Tenancy Branch. Improvements are continuing in the Residential Tenancy Branch to provide better and more efficient services to citizens.

With respect to the services provided directly by the Office, the Residential Tenancy Branch Case Management System is fully implemented, including a feature that allows clients to apply and pay for dispute resolution proceedings online. Dispute resolution processes and procedures are being restructured to reduce wait times and help resolve disputes quicker. Changes to legislation have enabled Residential Tenancy Branch to provide a broader range of dispute resolution services to help landlords and tenants resolve disputes without formal adjudication proceedings. Residential Tenancy Branch administration is improving to ensure quicker responses to telephone, fax, e-mail and in-person requests for information and services. People needing information after office hours can contact the Branch's 24 hour recorded information line. Residential Tenancy Branch publications are being revised and updated, and a full complement of information materials is available on the Branch's website.

In 2007/08, a comprehensive range of information and dispute resolution services will be available to meet the needs of these landlords and tenants.

The Office will continue to strive to improve the delivery of services to all of its clients.

Performance Plan

Performance Plan Summary Table

Goals, Objectives and Performance Measures

The Office of Housing and Construction Standards is responsible for supporting government in the adoption of various codes and standards, as well as the system by which building safety is achieved.

Strategies focus around the Modernization Strategy, the initiative to review the system to achieve safety in the design, construction and occupancy of buildings. Safety is achieved through the application of good building practices and appropriate codes and standards.

Codes and standards have recently been updated with the adoption of the 2006 BC Building Code and 2006 BC Fire Code.¹¹ For the first time, these documents have been published in an objectives-based code format. Each building code provision is now directly linked to the objectives of the code, and code users are provided with additional information that assists them in meeting the objectives of safety, health, accessibility for persons with disabilities and structural protection of buildings.

The BC Safety Authority has been delegated authority to administer safety programs for electrical, gas, boiler and pressure vessel, amusement rides, elevating devices and aerial tramways under the Safety Standards Act. Through an administrative agreement with the BC Safety Authority, the Province has established safety outcomes and a means to measure the achievement of these outcomes through an annual "State of Safety" Report. Over time this report will analyze statistical trends in accidents, incidents and injuries by sector. The collection and analysis of consistent and comprehensive data is key to implementing programs that will improve safety. In addition, ten local governments¹² have been delegated authority under the Act to administer safety for electrical and/or gas services in those jurisdictions.

As the Modernization Strategy proceeds, success depends on the continuing involvement of local government representatives, industry and other stakeholders. The Strategy provides multiple opportunities for input, through:

• Participation in working groups focused on code application and enforcement;
• two major consultation workshops that bring many stakeholders together to build and test ideas for moving forward; and
• broad consultation after options are developed.

Recommendations will be made when consultation is completed.

The Homeowner Protection Office, which reports to the Minister Responsible for Housing, requires residential builders to be licensed and monitors the performance of the mandatory third party home warranty insurance system for new home construction and building envelope renovations.

The key strategy in support of this objective is to monitor the number and type of claims made under the mandatory home warranty insurance program. The relative quality of new home construction can be determined by the number of claims under the program. The relative safety can be determined by the incidence of claims relating to structural defects and water penetration. This information is important to ongoing research and education activities by the Homeowner Protection Office to improve the quality of residential construction.

1.2.1. Home warranty claims within industry norms: This measure gauges the relative quality of construction through the number of warranty claims as a percentage of homes covered by mandatory warranty insurance. This information is collected by a homeowner satisfaction survey. This measure will continue to develop as summary claims information is obtained from warranty providers. The incidence of home warranty claims in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta is compared in the Homeowner Protection Office Annual Service Plan Report.

Homelessness is a serious issue faced by some British Columbians. As a first step in addressing the needs of the homeless, government provides emergency shelter bed funding to community agencies to assist individuals who are temporarily without accommodation. Funding provides for year-round beds and is enhanced during the winter months when additional beds are needed most.

The economic and social cost of homelessness to Canadian communities is extremely high. Recent research in British Columbia estimates the cost of homelessness at $30,000 to $40,000/person for one year.¹³ The IBI Group estimates that the societal cost of homelessness in Canada is approximately $1.4 billion per year.¹⁴ The greatest expenditures are in health care, criminal justice, social services and shelters. Ensuring that populations with special housing needs have access to secure housing and support services at an early stage reduces the demand and costs on institutional and emergency support systems.

Strategies to meet this objective include building new transitional and supportive housing with integrated support services for the homeless, and providing outreach teams to work with the homeless.

2.1.1. Percentage of nights where shelters are at full capacity: Emergency shelters are an important point of access for moving a homeless individual to the next stage in the housing continuum. This measure reports the capacity of the emergency shelter system, and the ability of those who are homeless to access one of more than 1,200 shelter beds funded under the Province's Emergency Shelter Program. Data from 2006/07 indicates that shelters were full, on average, 44 nights in 100. Shelters at full occupancy less than 50 per cent of the time ensure there is a reasonable balance between availability of beds and the effective use of government funds. BC Housing is working with shelters to identify processes and strategies that allow the province to estimate seasonal fluctuations in order to help people move from shelters to permanent housing, and better utilize beds during periods of high and low vacancy.

The most acute need for housing is found among low income people who have special housing and support needs. Included in this group are people with mental or physical disabilities, seniors with special needs, the homeless or those at risk of homelessness and individuals or families who have experienced domestic violence. Government's response to this group is not limited to housing, but also to providing health and other social supports. Research indicates that by providing adequate, stable and affordable housing to the most vulnerable, government can reduce its costs in health care and other social service areas.¹⁵

Among the strategies to meet this objective are the completion of the devolution agreement and the harmonization of federal and provincial policies for social housing. Strategies also include continuing to build new units, conversion of existing subsidized housing or provision of rent supplements for low income households with special needs, including Phase II of the Independent Living BC program.

2.2.1. Percentage of assisted clients belonging to priority groups: Recognizing the difference that access to housing makes in the lives of vulnerable families and individuals, this measure reports the effectiveness of our current practices in allocating resources to those most in need. In keeping with the 2006/07 Provincial Housing Strategy, this measure allows us to define our success in ensuring that B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens receive priority for assistance.

2.2.2. Number of units/beds created or adapted for priority clients:¹⁶ The Province is committed to ensuring that B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens receive priority for assistance. Part of this commitment is creating new units/beds on the supportive end of the continuum of housing. For this reason, government has committed significant funding for the creation of new buildings in a cost effective manner through programs such as Independent Living BC (ILBC) and the Provincial Homelessness Initiative (PHI).

This measure reports on BC Housing's success in adding new units for priority groups such as frail seniors, Aboriginal households. Persons with physical and mental disabilities as well as individuals who are homeless, many of whom are dealing with mental illness, addictions and other challenges. As of March 31, 2008, the total service allocation for priority clients, including emergency shelters and housing for the homeless, transitional supported and assisted living, independent social housing and rent assistance in the private market will total 98,500.

Affordable rental housing in the private market is becoming increasingly scarce, particularly in Greater Vancouver and Victoria. The Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area vacancy rate is 0.7 per cent while the equivalent vacancy rate in Greater Victoria is even lower at 0.5 per cent.¹⁷ This is due primarily to the lack of new affordable housing supply, coupled with a booming economy and an in-migration of workers.

There is minimal construction and investment in affordable rental housing in the private market and those units being added are in the higher rent ranges. Evidence suggests that in spite of the high levels of demand, market rent levels are below the levels required to generate a reasonable return on investment for new construction. On the other hand, investor-owned condominiums and secondary suites in new and existing homes provide opportunities for expanding the supply of available housing.

In October 2006, the Province introduced a new Rental Assistance Program to help improve affordability for approximately 15,000 to 20,000 low income working families already housed in the private rental market. The introduction of this program will also reduce demand for subsidized housing by those households whose only problem is affordability. Eligible households will receive direct financial assistance that can be applied toward rental accommodation that best suits their needs.

Rent assistance programs assist families and individuals who do not have enough income to find housing in the private market.

Strategies to meet this objective include:

• Provincial funding for Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters, a rent assistance program targeted to low income seniors;
• shelter allowances for low income households through the Rental Assistance Program, which helps eligible families bridge the gap between what a household can afford to pay and current rental costs; and
• the Provincial Homelessness Initiative, which provides second stage or transitional housing to repeat users of shelters who have multiple barriers to finding and keeping housing.

3.1.1. Number of New Households Assisted through Rent Assistance Programs (New Units): Rent assistance programs assist families, seniors and individuals who do not have enough income to find housing in the private market. The Province funds a number of rent assistance programs including the Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters program and the Rental Assistance Program.

By the end of 2007/08, it is expected that rent assistance will be provided to more than 33,000 households. The targets reflect the number of new households that are expected to apply for assistance based on historical take-up patterns. The 2007/08 target is substantially higher due to the introduction of the Rental Assistance Program in October 2006 which included and active communication and outreach strategy which will continue into 2007.

Local governments are best placed to improve the affordability of market housing through innovative planning and development practices. The province is committed to improving the flow of information on best practices in this area.

As part of an educational strategy, the Office works with local governments and industry stakeholders to develop and deliver customized workshops on improving market housing affordability. Since 1996, the Office has surveyed all local governments every three years to measure the use of planning tools that promote housing affordability. The results of the survey are summarized and published, and assist local governments in planning for affordable housing.

Strategies to meet this objective include: providing resources, research and expertise on market housing affordability to local governments, and surveying local governments to determine the use of planning tools provided.

Tools, guides and workshops are being developed in partnership with local governments, non-profit housing providers and industry to enhance affordability and increase housing options. Planning guides assist with addressing a number of housing issues, including secondary suite programs, community planning initiatives, design guidelines, financial incentives and land use planning and zoning tools. The Real Estate Services Act, introduced in May 2004, allows developers access to purchasers' deposit monies if those monies are appropriately insured. By lowering development costs, it is expected that the consumer will benefit.

3.2.1. Percentage of local governments in communities over 100,000 that apply affordable housing planning tools and techniques: Use of these tools indicates local governments are enhancing their ability to develop and adopt policies and practices that encourage the development and availability of affordable housing options.

An effective residential tenancy system provides landlords and tenants with timely information about their rights and responsibilities to help them resolve disputes on their own, access to alternate dispute resolution services, and access to adjudication if needed. With improved access to information, the parties are more likely to resolve disputes themselves, reducing demand on the adjudication system.

Strategies to meet this objective include improving the quality of information materials; quicker response to requests for information; full implementation of the case management system, including web application for arbitration for major landlords; and restructuring the adjudication process and procedures to reduce wait times.

A program shift to a broader range of dispute resolution services will help landlords and tenants to resolve disputes in a less adversarial manner, promoting good long-term relationships and housing stability.

A new measure will be developed for the 2008/09 Service Plan to assess the Residential Tenancy Branch's success in achieving the objective of increasing the percentage of applications for dispute resolution settled by mutual agreement. This measure will reflect a program shift to assist landlords and tenants resolve disputes without formal adjudication where possible. Methods such as intervention, facilitation and settlement agreements promote better long term relationships between landlords and tenants than adversarial adjudication proceedings.

4.1.1 Percentage of residential tenancy adjudications scheduled to take place within six weeks or less of filing: This measure reflects Government's decision to make this more affordable and accessible than the courts. The more quickly disputes are resolved, the better the rental market can function.