Community Care Facilities
(previously called Special Needs Residential Facilities)
General Information
Vancouver’s Zoning and Development By-law defines many different types of buildings which can be developed in the city. The terms “Community Care Facility” and “Group Residence” refer to a class of buildings which provide a significant degree of care or rehabilitative programs for people who have severe physical or mental illnesses or disabilities, or house minors in the care of the Province, people under the custody of Corrections Canada, and people who need emergency support on a short term basis.
On June 10th, 2008, Council approved amendments to the definitions of these facilities, and to the application guidelines and procedures which describe how applications will be reviewed and processed. This class of buildings was previously called “Special Needs Residential Facility” – a definition that had been used since the early 1980s.
The changes do not alter the type of buildings to which the definitions apply, but rather update old definitions and Guidelines to reflect what has been learned about the operation of these facilities over the past 25 years.
“Community Care Facility” means any residential building which is licensed under the Provincial Community Care and Assisted Living Act. These buildings include all the buildings commonly referred to as ‘nursing homes’ or ‘care facilities’ for frail seniors, as well as some facilities which provide support to people who may have a mental illness or developmental disability, and need considerable levels of care. Vancouver currently has 121 Community Care Facilities.
“Group Residence” means a residential building which provides accommodation to six or more people, where
- legislation other than the Community Care and Assisted Living Act requires such persons to reside in the facility….; or
- the facility provides a rehabilitation program in which all such persons, as a condition of residence, must participate; or
- the facility provides accommodation for fewer than 30 days, and may provide personal services….”
Vancouver currently has 32 Group Residences.
The full updated definitions can be found in the April 29, 2008 Council report (
PDF, 169KB) and will be included in the next update of the Zoning & Development By-law.
Background on Community Care Facilities
Vancouver City Council has had a longstanding policy of supporting the integration of housing to support all sectors of the population, throughout the city. Community Care Facilities and Group Residences provide housing options for people who are frail or have illnesses or disabilities. This is an important part of the City’s vision for an inclusive and socially sustainable city.
In many community discussions of seniors’ needs, for instance, residents have underlined the need for a range of housing options for seniors, including residential care for frail seniors, located close to their familiar neighbourhoods. In response to this need, the City has, over the years, approved the re-zoning of various sites to allow relatively large Community Care Facilities to be built in or adjacent to single family areas.
Similarly, the City has approved the development of buildings which provide care or rehabilitation for people who have a mental illness, are recovering from addictions, or who need support on a short term basis.
Community Care Facilities and Group Residences are scattered throughout the city in the Downtown and other high density neighbourhoods and in low-density single- and two-family neighbourhoods. In total, there are 153 Community Care Facilities and Group Residences in Vancouver. 94 of these (62%) are small 4-10 bed homes in single/two family zones.
For answers to common questions about Community Care Facilities and Group Residences, see our FAQ Page.
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