Langford sees busiest start to the year ever for housing starts

Langford has had its busiest start to the year since data collection began in terms of housing starts, according to the latest Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data.

The city has seen 570 housing starts of all types in the first four months of 2023 versus 333 in 2022. That’s the highest figure in the first four months of the year Langford has seen since incorporation.

Most of those new builds are apartments (492), with 34 single-family homes, six semi-detacheds, and 38 row-homes also started during that time period.

In total, Langford’s under-construction inventory is also the highest it’s been since CMHC data has been collected in 1991, with 2,243 units currently under construction in the city.

While construction activity is up, approval of new builds in council meetings has slowed.

Since they were sworn in on Nov. 7, 2023, Langford council has adopted rezoning bylaws which have paved the way for 375 residential units, although 288 of those were proposals that had come before previous mayor and council, with the current council voting on adoption while not receiving any new information (after a public hearing, council is not allowed to hear new information on a proposal).

The city is in the midst of devising its strategic plan, with initial proposals coming before council at Thursday’s (May 18) council meeting.

The city hired consultant James Ridge and city planner Brent Toderian to develop and advise on the plan, with council to consider an “early guidance” version of the plan. That document will lay out the council’s priorities to help guide the newly established sustainable development advisory committee. Those are split into two broad categories: “high-quality growth and density,” which focuses on urban density while providing amenities, and “less impactful, more livable construction” which will look at development proposals to include a “good neighbour commitment.”

READ MORE: Langford’s new council approves its first development