The B.C. government is aiming to build more prefabricated multi-residential buildings with help from Vancouver-area municipalities.

On Thursday, the Metro Vancouver Regional District’s planning committee will decide whether to accept and distribute a report designed to help the province identify municipalities interested in exploring pre-approved building plans and more prefabricated apartment construction.

Metro Vancouver is the umbrella group for the region’s municipal governments.

B.C. demand for rental housing is significantly outpacing the growth of purpose-built units, says the report. Between 2016 and 2022, total renter households increased 13.2%, while purpose-built rental stock only rose 5.6%.

In 2022, the average vacancy rate for purpose-built rental townhouses and apartments was just 0.9%. Off-site construction can reduce project delivery times and cut costs by 30%, according to the report.

The province and real estate industry leaders have expressed interest in jointly advancing policies, investments and actions that boost off-site construction, the report adds.