A Voter’s Guide to Asking Candidates about Housing

BC’s municipal elections are on October 17, and housing is on the ballot. Your local council controls what happens above the provincial baseline: how fast permits move, how much builders pay in fees, what parking and design rules apply, and whether the municipality partners with non-profits to deliver affordable homes. These decisions shape what actually gets built in your community, how much it costs, and who can afford to stay.
This voter guide, developed by Small Housing and Strong Towns, gives residents ready-to-use questions to ask candidates at all-candidates meetings, on the doorstep, or by email. Topics range from permitting timelines and standardized designs to infrastructure costs and support for regular homeowners, local builders, and non-profits trying to add housing. Each question includes a short explanation of why it matters.