The provincial government announced on Tuesday (July 30) a housing target of nearly 2,000 new units for Colwood, North Saanich and View Royal

The Greater Victoria municipalities, along with seven others in the province, have been identified as having "the greatest housing needs".

Colwood has been given a target of 940 new units, while North Saanich is set at 419 and View Royal at 585.

They join the City of Victoria, Central Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich and Sidney, who have all been given housing targets since September 2023, when the province announced it's Housing Supply Act calling for 60,000 units to be built in the next five years across B.C.

So far, the Greater Victoria area has a total target of 13,930 units.

"Meeting these targets within five years will work toward addressing each community's projected growth and housing needs," said the province in a press release on Tuesday.

Each municipality has been supplied with a list of housing guidelines that recommend the number of units by size (one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom), rental versus owned units, below-market rental units and units with on-site supports.

They have also been encouraged to explore and strengthen partnerships with First Nations communities to support and deliver housing projects on First Nations lands. 

Progress toward achieving the housing targets will be evaluated after six months, then every year. The province has said that it will work with the municipalities to support them in achieving their targets.

"The best way to solve the housing crisis and build more homes for people is by working together," said provincial housing minister Ravi Kahlon in a press release. "Our government is working closely with municipalities to ensure more homes are built in communities with the greatest needs. By having these targets, all levels of government will be able to align to address the housing crisis and help build more affordable housing for people in these communities for years to come."

In the first wave of targets last year, the City of Victoria was asked to build 4,902 units while Saanich was asked to build 4,610 and 664 in Oak Bay.

In May, the City of Victoria said that it had already finished 753 new units, eclipsing its target of 659 in year one under the provincial order.

Added to the housing target list in June was Central Saanich with 588 units, Esquimalt 754 and Sidney 468.