“Housing is a top priority for people across BC and our government. Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home, and students should feel secure enough to focus more on their studies, and less on finding a place to live,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “That’s the goal of our Homes for People strategy – to close the gap between supply and demand and find creative solutions for the housing concerns facing British Columbians.”
BC is a leader in the use of mass timber as an innovative way to reduce the carbon footprint of the building sector, while supporting good-paying jobs for people in communities throughout the province. The use of mass timber means opportunities for local workers in the forestry sector, strong partnerships with First Nations and greater economic opportunity, while also making a significant contribution to advancing CleanBC climate strategy.This project is part of the Homes for People action plan to build 12,000 new student beds on campuses throughout the province to further ease pressure on the local rental markets. To date, 7,766 student beds are already built or underway, five years ahead of schedule. Budget 2023 includes new student housing investments, adding $575 million over three years.
The BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing building is estimated to be completed in spring 2025. This project will more than double the supply of on-campus housing at BCIT from the current 329 student beds to 799.