On November 30th, 2007 the Metro Vancouver Board adopted the Regional Affordable Housing Strategy. For an estimated one-third of the region’s households, finding housing to rent or own that is affordable is a problem. These are households with low to moderate income; at or below 50% of the median income (low income), or between 50%-80% of median income (moderate income). This Strategy recognizes that there are a range of needs along the housing continuum, and that meeting these various needs requires different actions and strategies. It also recognizes that regional and municipal governments are limited in the actions that they can take, and a successful response to the housing needs across Metro Vancouver requires action by all levels of government.

 Regional Affordable Housing Strategy

 2009 Progress Report

 Summary of Municipal Strategies and Actions to Address Housing Affordability

 Municipal measures for housing affordability and diversity in Metro Vancouver

Making Housing More Affordable:
Waiver of Regional Development Cost Charges:
Metro Vancouver is committed to help increase the supply of affordable housing in the region. One of the actions set out in the Regional Affordable Housing Strategy was for Metro Vancouver to waive regional development cost charges for affordable housing. In April 2010, the GVS&DD Board adopted a new Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 254, 2010, which includes provisions to waive regional development cost charges (DCCs) for a number of different types of affordable housing.

Below are a copy of the by-law, information on the conditions under which a regional DCC waiver can be granted and the process for waiving DCCs. Note that rent levels and household incomes are based on the most recent available apartment rental and household income data from Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and Statistics Canada; affordability levels should reflect the latest available data as updated from time to time.

Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 254, 2010
Development Cost Charge Map
Regional Development Cost Charge Waiver to Support Affordable Housing Development Q&A
Q&A Attachment 1 Affordable Rents and Household Incomes
Q&A Attachment 2 Application Form

More information about regional Development Cost Charges can be found at:
 Development Cost Charges web page

In response to concerns over the low level of rental housing construction in the region, Metro Vancouver has spearheaded a Rental Housing Supply Coalition of industry and non-profit housing providers to lobby the provincial and federal governments for tax changes and investment that will stimulate rental housing construction and make renewal and preservation a good investment. Metro Vancouver is working with the Coalition to build a national voice for rental housing that can advocate to the federal government.

The Coalition members are: BC Apartment Owners and Managers Association, BC Non-Profit Housing Association, Co-op Housing Federation of BC, Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC, Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association, Greater Vancouver Regional District, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre, Urban Development Institute and VanCity Enterprises.

Over the past five years, purpose-built rental housing production has averaged less than 10% of the estimated demand (640 units out of 6,500 respectively). Purpose-built rental is an integral part of the rental supply, particularly for low and moderate income families. Rental housing demand is currently being met to some degree through condominium rentals, which are generally expensive and subject to “owner take-back,” and through secondary suites which are affordable, but limited in supply and are on the market at the homeowner’s discretion.

Much of the existing purpose built rental housing stock is 30 – 50 years old and in need of renovation and renewal to increase lifespan. This stock makes up a large portion of the existing affordable rental housing supply, but is gradually being torn down.

 Rental Housing Supply Coalition - Presentation to Board April 29, 2011

 Renters Speak up website