Fernie housing approvals could move faster following a $200,000 provincial grant to modernize the City’s development application and permitting systems.

The City of Fernie will use the funding to improve record retrieval, ensure compatibility with the BC Building Permit Hub and align its systems with future provincial permitting platforms.

The funding does not pay for housing construction. It is intended to improve the City’s internal development approval processes, making applications easier to manage and potentially reducing delays for housing projects.

Fernie is one of 56 local governments receiving a combined $9 million through the Local Government Development Approvals Program, administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

“With the Local Government Development Approvals Program, local governments can improve their internal processes and development approvals, so that we can speed up the delivery of homes for people living and working in B.C.,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs.

Projects receiving funding across the province include digital permitting systems, standardized housing designs and support for prefabricated and modular construction.

The Province says the program is intended to help non-profit housing organizations, developers and other applicants move housing projects through local government approval systems more quickly.