Esquimalt's Housing and Affordability

Housing for Esquimalt

By law, B.C. municipalities are required to meet provincial government mandated targets for new housing units being added each year. In 2024, the B.C. Minister of Housing issued a Ministerial Order pursuant to the Housing Supply Act for the Township of Esquimalt. The Order set out the following cumulative new Housing Targets that Esquimalt is required to meet over five years:

Esquimalt Mandated Housing Targets:

Year 1 (2025): 81
Year 2 (2026): 185
Year 3 (2027): 325
Year 4 (2028): 510
Year 5 (2028): 754

Esquimalt is also required to prepare an annual Housing Target Progress Report. The most recent progress report is for Year 2 and was published in July 2026.

Our Year Two Housing Target Progress Report indicates that a total of 989 net new housing units were completed in Esquimalt since July 1, 2024. Not only is this well above the Year Two housing target of 185 completed housing units; it is also well above the Year Five housing target of 754 completed housing units meaning that Esquimalt has already exceeded the five-year provincial expectation in just our first two years.

Over the past decade, furthermore, Esquimalt has added about 2000 new homes within our community. That is significant growth and it requires us to carefully manage our capacity as a community including pressures on our utility infrastructure, traffic management, municipal services while ensuring the protection of our tree canopy and natural habitat. That is why Esquimalt has conducted a 2026 Development Capacity Study.

By identifying our capacity pressures, Esquimalt will need to continue advocating for the provincial and federal governments to assist with local funding to help finance the growth of our community. For municipalities such as Esquimalt that are doing our part in providing much needed housing, there needs to be financial assistance from higher levels of government that rewards our contributions.

A small blue book exchange cabinet in front of an apartment building.

Adelaide rental apartments at 540 West Bay Terrace.

Affordability for Esquimalt

While Esquimalt’s efforts on providing housing are commendable, we must also continually strive for better affordability of our housing. Families seek options that meet their needs and their ability to pay. Youth who grow up in our community should be able to afford housing that allows them to remain in our community. Seniors who want to downsize and remain in Esquimalt require options that allow them to age within our community. We also have special needs to consider from housing designed for disabilities and residents in need of supportive housing.

Affordability means advocating for below market options and creative solutions. We need effective housing measures by working cooperatively across governments and with developers to ensure our community has homes for all income levels, ages and needs.

We have options if we are creative. From advocating for the reintroduction of Co-op Housing into the market to ensuring new developments include a specific number of below-market units and/or partnering with non-profit societies to build non-market rentals, we can achieve better affordability. The Lions at Fleming housing (874 Fleming Street) is a good model to follow of Esquimalt's successful partnership with the Greater Victoria Housing Society providing modern new apartments at affordable rents.

Most recently, Esquimalt Council approved a very creative solution brought forward by community members to provide affordable, customized homeownership through the Esquimalt Village Cohousing concept, which can serve as an excellent example for others to replicate.

The Lions at Fleming, 874 Fleming Street, provides 137 affordable, below market apartment rentals.

Esquimalt’s 2027 Official Community Plan (OCP) Review

Did you know that Esquimalt is in need of a new OCP?

What's an Official Community Plan (OCP) and why is it important to you as an Esquimalt resident?

Esquimalt's OCP is a legal document that sets the long-term vision and rules for how Esquimalt should grow. It contains goals and policies for housing, businesses, transportation, parks, and the environment. Every municipality must have an OCP and is required to conduct major reviews and updates at least once a decade.

Esquimalt’s next OCP major review will happen in 2027. Public consultation will form an important part of that review. Based on valued public consultation, putting together our next OCP and getting it right will require a strong combination of experienced council members with proven leadership along with fresh, new perspectives of newly elected members.

What can you expect to be consulted on?

Some of the 2027 OCP discussion topics will include:

Housing Plans: Policies to make sure there is enough housing for everyone, including families, youth, singles, seniors and those with special needs.
Land Use: Maps showing what can be built where, so that everyone can easily understand potential growth within your specific neighbourhood as well as clearly identify our natural habitat areas that need to be protected.
Climate Targets: Goals to lower our carbon footprint and protect our environment.
Transportation: Plans for how we move and connect in an efficient, accessible and safe manner.