Lessons from the first round of mandatory housing needs reporting in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Mirroring global trends, housing is a growing issue in urban Canada. To address the looming crisis, housing needs reports (HNRs) have recently gained traction with the promise to improve policy through data. While literature and practice have yet to coalesce around appropriate definitions and methods, the federal government is set to make HNRs national policy in 2025. In this study, we analyze a sample of 126 municipal HNRs produced by 2022 through a British Columbia mandate. Asking about the data reporting outcomes and policy lessons, we find high levels of compliance, achieved largely by relying on external consultants and private data. Lack of methodological guidance and uneven data availability particularly affect reporting on population projections and housing stock (changes). We call for capacity building and iterative evaluations to enhance the effectiveness of HNRs and increase policy alignment with the National Housing Strategy.