New Westminster – The City of New Westminster is proud to announce it has exceeded the Province’s Year One Housing Target Order of 656 units, with a total of 1,175 housing units completed between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. Of these homes, 59 per cent were ownership units and 41 per cent were rental. The new supply included 552 two-bedroom units and 146 three- and four-bedroom units, helping to meet the need for more family-sized housing in the city.

"Increasing the housing supply and housing options has been a focus for City Council for many years, and the City of New Westminster has a strong track record of supporting new homes,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “Exceeding the Province’s year one housing target shows our commitment to tackling the housing crisis and advancing Council’s strategic plan.”

This early success reflects long-term efforts that began years before the Province introduced housing targets. The majority of the units completed in Year One were from two major development projects: the One Fifty Braid tower (approved in 2022), and two Pier West towers (approved in 2014).

In addition to the units completed, a further 1,088 units were approved for development during the Year One period, including 141 below-market units. Building permits were also issued for 52 supportive housing units. While approvals are critical to achieving housing targets, the timing of completions depends largely on developers and market conditions.

“City staff have been working hard on housing for many years, and many of the projects completed this year were already well underway before housing targets were set by the Province,” said Serena Trachta, Deputy Director of Building. “We remain committed to finding every opportunity to speed up approvals and support the delivery of a wide range of housing options across New Westminster.”

The City continues to introduce new initiatives to support housing. Last year, the City finalized the 22nd Street Station Area Long Range Vision and launched the Affordable Housing Accelerator program. Staff also completed a review of the development application process to identify ways to improve housing approvals and updated the Family-Friendly Housing Policy with design guidelines, larger unit requirements, and best practices for socially connected multi-unit developments.

Currently, staff are working to advance new Infill and Townhouse Accelerator programs, and update the Official Community Plan to align with new provincial housing legislation, including transit-oriented development and small-scale multi-unit housing.

Learn more about the City’s housing development initiatives: newwestcity.ca/planning-building-and-development

-30-

Media contact: 

Melissa Nilan
Communications Coordinator
778-773-1659