North Okanagan regional district launches design competition to help alleviate housing crisis – Okanagan | 24CA News
The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is in search of new methods to remain on prime of the rising demand for housing.
A brand new competitors has been launched to streamline the method of constructing extra housing items and alleviate the present housing disaster.
Housing designers, skilled or not, are invited to participate in a brand new competitors from the RDNO, they usually’re requested to submit their finest secondary dwelling designs.
“We’ve got a panel of experts that will go through all the different designs and they’re being scored on affordability, usability, and how it satisfies environmental aspects,” stated Kevin Acton, chair of the RDNO board of administrators.
The successful designs will turn out to be pre-approved constructing plans which could be bought all through the North Okanagan. Sketches are being accepted for one-storey and two-storey secondary dwellings.
The RDNO says housing affordability and provide are among the greatest challenges it’s going through proper now. The objective is to scale back obstacles for householders seeking to construct extra items.
“We’re hoping that it really just sort of omits the back and forth, that goes on, especially in rural communities between the building inspector and the proponent, that’s trying to put a home on their property,” Acton stated.
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Increasing the variety of second dwellings on properties across the North Okanagan is only one approach the regional district is attempting so as to add to its housing provide.
“Our new bylaws that we’ve been looking at and changing are allowing secondary suites in almost every area. We’re trying to fit, sort of densify, into different areas. So we can create some more housing stock, so there’s lots going on in the planning department,” stated Acton.
The pre-approved plans for secondary dwellings will assist cities like, Enderby, Vernon and Amstrong welcome extra individuals into their communities.
“We’re really landlocked, and so we’re looking for places that we can grow and have infill in a way that’s gentle in our community, but increases the number of housing options for our residents,” stated Laurie Cordell, supervisor of planning providers for the City of Armstrong.
The competitors is at present open and money prizes shall be awarded to the most effective designs. In the long run, if a housing plan is chosen, the designer will get a $1,000 royalty for every use of their design.
The deadline for submissions is March 20.
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