Metro Vancouver mayors ask for provincial and federal grants to address the region's housing crisis

Metro Vancouver mayors say they need 190-million dollars in provincial grant funding, plus additional loan financing, and they want the same amounts from the federal government if they hope to address the region's housing crisis.

The mayors made the request during an online meeting with David Eby, the minister responsible for housing.

Eby told the group that one of his main concerns is getting faster approval from local governments to build homes that can handle what he says is BC's ``population explosion.''

The minister has previously warned municipalities he could bring in legislation that would allow the province to reject local housing decisions and restrict funding if city councils don't act more quickly to build affordable accommodation.