Housing dashboard will centralize data as Nelson prepares for provincial targets

The City of Nelson is building a housing dashboard to centralize data from multiple sources. City officials said the tool is meant to help the municipality prepare for potential provincial housing targets under the Housing Supply Act.

The City of Nelson is developing a housing dashboard to bring local housing information into one place. City senior planner Ken Bourdeau introduced the project at a Jan. 6 council meeting. The effort is framed as preparation for a possible provincial housing target under the Housing Supply Act. Officials noted the province has already issued targets to about 40 other municipalities and said Nelson could receive a target within the next year. Key facts: - The city is creating a centralized dashboard to consolidate housing data collected by the city and other organizations. - Ken Bourdeau presented the dashboard concept to city council on Jan. 6. - The dashboard is intended to support reporting and decision-making if a provincial housing target is imposed under the Housing Supply Act. - Data sources named include municipal records and federal and provincial datasets, which the city says are currently shared in varied formats. - The initial version will be updated over time and linked to Nelson's Housing Needs Assessment and Official Community Plan. Summary: The dashboard is meant to provide a single, accessible source of housing information and to support any reporting requirements that accompany a provincial target. Officials said Nelson is likely to be issued a provincial housing target within the next year. How and when the province may act remains undetermined at this time.