Housing

The District does not build or manage most housing directly. Instead, we:

• Set the rules for how land can be used (zoning and development permits). 
• Plan for where different types of housing can go (through the Official Community Plan and other plans).
• Work with partners like BC Housing, the Capital Regional District, M’akola Housing Society, and others to support new affordable and below-market housing. 
• Apply for grants and support projects that add rental housing, supportive housing, and housing for people with low to moderate incomes. 

Other organizations (non-profits, private builders, provincial and federal governments) usually build, own and operate housing.

To better understand what kinds of homes are needed in Sooke, the District completed a Housing Needs Report. This is required by the Province under the Local Government Act and looks at:

• How many homes we have now
• What types of homes people live in (single-family homes, townhomes, apartments, etc.)
• Who is living in crowded or unsuitable housing
• How affordable housing is, based on local incomes
• What kinds of homes will be needed in the future (for seniors, families, single people, Indigenous households, and others)

The report helps Council and staff make informed decisions about zoning, development, and where to focus resources.

You can use this information to understand how housing is changing across Sooke and where the biggest needs are.

In recent years, several projects have added new rental and below-market homes in Sooke. These projects are led by partners and supported by funding from the Province, the federal government, the Capital Regional District and the District of Sooke.

Examples include:

• Below-market rental housing for Indigenous families and Elders at 2170 Charters Road (M’akola Housing Society).
• 170 new affordable rental homes at 2075 Drennan Street for people with low to moderate incomes.
• Additional affordable and supportive homes for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, created through partnerships with BC Housing and local non-profits. 

These projects offer local examples of how different partners work together to respond to the local housing crisis and provide homes for those who need them most.

Sooke’s housing work aims to support a full housing continuum, from emergency shelter and supportive housing to market rental and home ownership.

Through planning and zoning tools, the District supports:

• Different housing types (e.g., secondary suites, small homes, duplexes, townhouses, apartments)
• Housing near services, schools, and transit
• Accessible and age-friendly homes
• Affordable and below-market housing led by non-profit partners

This helps create options for:

• Young people and families
• Seniors wanting to age in place
• Workers in local businesses and services
• Indigenous community members
• People with low or fixed incomes

The Province of B.C. has introduced changes to how communities plan for and approve housing. These changes are intended to increase the supply of homes, create more housing choice, and streamline development approval processes across the province.

To meet these new requirements, the District of Sooke has updated its Zoning Bylaw and other regulations. These updates ensure Sooke’s planning framework aligns with provincial law while continuing to consider local infrastructure, environmental conditions, and community goals.

Key changes that affect Sooke:

Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH)

Provincial legislation now requires most residential lots that currently allow a single-family home to also allow small-scale multi-unit housing, such as:

• Triplexes and fourplexes
• Rowhouse-style units
• Multiple suites (depending on lot size and servicing)

The intention is to create more “missing middle” homes that fit within existing neighbourhoods and provide options for families, workers, seniors, and people who need smaller or more attainable homes.

Sooke has updated its Zoning Bylaw so that these housing types are now permitted where required by law. Additional updates, such as servicing standards, parking requirements, and development permit guidelines, help ensure new housing is well designed and compatible with surrounding areas.

Pre-zoning for housing

The Province now requires municipalities to pre-zone enough land to meet future housing needs, especially near:

• Shops and services
• Transit corridors
• Schools and amenities

This means some areas of Sooke are now zoned for higher housing capacity without needing a rezoning application, making approvals faster and more predictable.

Sooke’s updated zoning reflects local growth areas identified in the Official Community Plan and is designed to support complete, walkable neighbourhoods. 

Stronger housing needs planning

Communities must now prepare:

• Housing Needs Reports every five years
• Housing Targets approved by the Province

Sooke uses this information to guide zoning decisions, infrastructure planning, and future updates to the Official Community Plan.

Changes to permitting and public hearings

Provincial legislation now streamlines the development approval process by:

• Limiting public hearings for projects that already align with the Official Community Plan
• Reducing the number of permits required for certain types of housing

These changes are intended to help reduce delays, increase consistency, and support the timely delivery of new housing while still requiring projects to meet environmental, servicing, and building safety standards.