Prioritizing housing for Vancouver residents, addressing the impact of speculation on land prices, and protecting and supporting our renters and most vulnerable residents.
With over 120 actions, the three-year action plan directs how we are moving forward to make housing more livable and affordable for our residents.
Some of these actions will take time, while some are being implemented now. Overall, our goal is to ensure that housing in Vancouver supports residents of all incomes now and into the future.
We’ve taken significant action in recent years to address the affordability crisis, but we need to do more.
Tracking our progress
Read the Progress Report Dashboard 2020 - updated in Q3 PDF file (528 KB) and Housing Vancouver Progress Report Q3 2020 update memo to Mayor and Council PDF file (856 KB)
Background and documents
Read the full Housing Vancouver strategy PDF file (2.5 MB) and the reports and research that informed it.
What are we doing?
We have been working hard to address the housing crisis. In some areas change is already happening. However, other actions may take some time to see an impact, but overall, you can expect a significant shift in our approach to housing in Vancouver.
Underway or complete
- Empty Homes Tax
- Short-term rental regulations
- Temporary modular housing to address homelessness
- Rental 100
- Affordable housing on City land through VAHA
- Social housing or Rental Tenure Program (SHORT)
- Laneway Housing Program Review
- Making Room Housing Program
- Design competitions - Landway Housing Review and Innovation Challenge
- Continue work with the Federal, Provincial, and Municipal SRO Working Group
- New Development Contribution Expectation (DCE)
- Continued engagement with Indigenous agencies and funding partners to advance additional Indigenous housing partner projects
- Planning for the Broadway Corridor and other station areas to focus affordable housing around transit infrastructure investments
- Increased rental protections through updates to the Rental Housing Stock ODP and encouraging reinvestment in the rental stock
- Moderate Income Rental Housing Pilot Program
- Affordable housing delivery and financial strategy PDF file (740 KB) to Council
- Moving Rate of Change trigger from six to three to increase protection for rental housing
- Allocation of the initial Empty Homes Tax revenue PDF file (520 KB)
Upcoming
- Renter protection manager hired
- Social Purpose Real Estate Incentive Program
- Community amenity contribution policy amendments for rental housing PDF file (1.5 MB)
- New neighbourhood centre planning programs to advance the transformation of low-density neighbourhoods
- Increased renter protections through enhanced tenant relocation and protection policies
- Partner in the development of a 10-year regional Indigenous housing strategy
- Launch SRO Revitalization Fund
- Density bonus provisions for rental housing in commercial zoning districts
Priorities driving our actions
We are prioritizing actions and policy to focus on several key objectives because we believe it’s where we can see the most impact to create real change in Vancouver.
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Shift toward the right supply of housing
Housing that meets the needs of those who live and work in Vancouver.
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Address speculation
The rising cost of land impacts the cost of housing and hurts our ability to build affordable rental housing.
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Support renters and vulnerable residents
More homes for all, and more support for the households in Vancouver who rent their homes – over half of all Vancouver households.
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Increase housing options
Allow more housing choices to accommodate a broad range of incomes, occupations, and households at all stages of life across the city.
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Cut through the red tape
We are working to simplify and streamline building and development approval processes.
Get updates
Stay informed about how we carry out the Housing Vancouver strategy.
Email: housingpolicy@vancouver.ca