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Making Vancouver more inclusive and equitable is a key priority of Vancouver Plan, the city’s long-term land-use strategy. Vancouver’s Social Housing Initiative works toward the critical need for affordable housing by simplifying and changing zoning regulations to allow for mixed-income social, supportive, and co-operative housing to be built without a rezoning in all Vancouver neighbourhoods.
Taking direction from Vancouver Plan’s approved land use vision, this initiative would permit non-profit and government organizations to build social housing buildings from 6 to 18 storeys, depending on neighbourhood type, with a focus on areas close to transit and commercial centres. New buildings will have the opportunity to include local serving retail and childcare alongside social housing.
These proposed changes would allow social housing projects to be built faster with less cost, giving priority to providing homes for people who need them most and working toward maintaining diversity in the city.
How to get involved:
Here are some ways you can learn more and share your thoughts:
Learn more about the proposal in a brief summary (PDF, 1.6MB)
Come to one of the in-person or virtual public information sessions:
Tuesday, October 1, 4:30-7:30 pm, Seniors Centre Multipurpose Room, Kerrisdale Community Centre (5851 West Boulevard)
Wednesday, October 2, 6-7:30 pm *Virtual Information Session* (register here )
Thursday, October 3, 4:30-7:30 pm, Room A, Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive)
Tuesday, October 8, 6:00-7:30 pm *Virtual Information Session* (register here)
Next steps:
Public engagement is open until Tuesday October 22. Next, we will be compiling feedback and finalizing the proposal, before providing a public update in Q1 2025 and bringing the proposal to City Council for a decision in late Q2 2025.
Making Vancouver more inclusive and equitable is a key priority of Vancouver Plan, the city’s long-term land-use strategy. Vancouver’s Social Housing Initiative works toward the critical need for affordable housing by simplifying and changing zoning regulations to allow for mixed-income social, supportive, and co-operative housing to be built without a rezoning in all Vancouver neighbourhoods.
Taking direction from Vancouver Plan’s approved land use vision, this initiative would permit non-profit and government organizations to build social housing buildings from 6 to 18 storeys, depending on neighbourhood type, with a focus on areas close to transit and commercial centres. New buildings will have the opportunity to include local serving retail and childcare alongside social housing.
These proposed changes would allow social housing projects to be built faster with less cost, giving priority to providing homes for people who need them most and working toward maintaining diversity in the city.
How to get involved:
Here are some ways you can learn more and share your thoughts:
Learn more about the proposal in a brief summary (PDF, 1.6MB)
Come to one of the in-person or virtual public information sessions:
Tuesday, October 1, 4:30-7:30 pm, Seniors Centre Multipurpose Room, Kerrisdale Community Centre (5851 West Boulevard)
Wednesday, October 2, 6-7:30 pm *Virtual Information Session* (register here )
Thursday, October 3, 4:30-7:30 pm, Room A, Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive)
Tuesday, October 8, 6:00-7:30 pm *Virtual Information Session* (register here)
Next steps:
Public engagement is open until Tuesday October 22. Next, we will be compiling feedback and finalizing the proposal, before providing a public update in Q1 2025 and bringing the proposal to City Council for a decision in late Q2 2025.
Click here to play video
Vancouver's social housing initiative
As part of the City’s sweeping transformation of the development process, Uytae Lee talks about the bold changes Vancouver is proposing that will make it easier and faster for non-profits to build social and cooperative housing.
Project timeline
Vancouver Plan Development and Approval
Vancouver's social housing initiative has finished this stage
Fall 2019 - Summer 2022 The process included 4 phases and broad-based public engagement
Project scoping and technical work
Vancouver's social housing initiative has finished this stage
January 2024 - September 2024
Public engagement
Vancouver's social housing initiative is currently at this stage
September - October 2024
Draft regulations
this is an upcoming stage for Vancouver's social housing initiative
November 2024-January 2025
Engagement update, review and revisions
this is an upcoming stage for Vancouver's social housing initiative
January - April 2025
Final report to City council
this is an upcoming stage for Vancouver's social housing initiative