Creating and renewing non-profit social and co-op housing

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Vancouver is experiencing a severe shortage of housing that’s affordable to low- and moderate- income renters. Over 50,000 renter households in the city pay more than 30% of their income on rent, with little income left over for other cost of living expenses. This means that many are struggling to make ends meet or living in housing that doesn’t meet their needs.

One important source of non-market housing is housing owned and operated by non-profit societies and co-ops. Non-profit housing can accommodate a broad range of housing needs, including those of families, seniors, and singles who cannot afford market rental

Vancouver is experiencing a severe shortage of housing that’s affordable to low- and moderate- income renters. Over 50,000 renter households in the city pay more than 30% of their income on rent, with little income left over for other cost of living expenses. This means that many are struggling to make ends meet or living in housing that doesn’t meet their needs.

One important source of non-market housing is housing owned and operated by non-profit societies and co-ops. Non-profit housing can accommodate a broad range of housing needs, including those of families, seniors, and singles who cannot afford market rental or ownership housing. However, there is a shortage of non-profit housing in Vancouver, and much of the existing non-profit housing in the city is aging and may be in need of renewal in coming years.

We're working on changes to streamline the development process for new non-profit housing in zoning districts covering select low-rise apartment areas across the city - RM-3A, RM-4, and RM-4N.

These areas consist of three storey condominium and rental apartment buildings. The proposed zoning amendments would allow non-profit social and co-op housing up to six storeys. This approach would be consistent with existing City policies and community plans, which prioritize the delivery of social and co-op housing for low and moderate income households.

Map of RM-3A, RM-4, and RM-4N zoning districts, outlined in purple and yellow

These changes are intended to help existing non-profit societies and co-ops renew existing buildings and build more housing over time, to ensure the city has enough safe and secure non-market homes today and into the future.

  • Share your comments

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    17 Nov 2020

    Let us know your thoughts on the proposed zoning changes in RM-3A, RM-4, and RM-4N zoning districts for non-profit social and co-op housing. The comment forms will be open until December 7th (*Note - this date has been extended to December 14th)


    For more information on the proposals and details on previous public consultation, please check out these resources:

    Let us know your thoughts on the proposed zoning changes in RM-3A, RM-4, and RM-4N zoning districts for non-profit social and co-op housing. The comment forms will be open until December 7th (*Note - this date has been extended to December 14th)


    For more information on the proposals and details on previous public consultation, please check out these resources:

  • Virtual neighbourhood workshops

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    02 Nov 2020

    Following the survey in September 2020, the City is holding online neighbourhood workshops in communities that contain a number of apartments where the changes would apply.

    The purpose of these virtual neighbourhood workshops is to provide an overview of non-profit housing in Vancouver, the zoning changes being considered, and hear feedback on the proposals and how they relate to different neighbourhoods.

    Each workshop will consist of a staff presentation and small group discussions between participants.

    How to get involved

    All online neighbourhood workshops will be hosted by the City on Cisco WebEx. To register, please click on the Eventbrite link and follow the registration instructions.

    • Marpole - November 17th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here
    • Grandview-Woodland - November 19th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here
    • Kitsilano - November 24th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here
    • Mount Pleasant - November 25th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here

    There will be 50 spaces available for each session. To ensure a diversity of perspectives, 25 spaces will be reserved for individuals who own their home and 25 spaces will be reserved for individuals living in rental or co-op housing.

    Registration is open to all and is not limited to those who live in the area. We encourage anyone who is interested in non-profit housing in these areas to register and attend.

    As the number of spaces is limited for these workshops, registration will be limited to one session per person. We also ask that individuals only register if they intend on attending the workshop, and unregister if plans change and you are unable to attend. If space for the workshop is filled but you would like to attend, please sign up for the waitlist through the Eventbrite link.

    Other opportunities to share your thoughts

    If you can’t make it to one of our neighbourhood workshops, there will also be an opportunity to review staff’s presentation materials and provide comments online from November 16th – December 7th. More details will be available on this webpage in the coming weeks.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions about the workshops, you can contact City of Vancouver Housing Policy staff at housingpolicy@vancouver.ca.

    Following the survey in September 2020, the City is holding online neighbourhood workshops in communities that contain a number of apartments where the changes would apply.

    The purpose of these virtual neighbourhood workshops is to provide an overview of non-profit housing in Vancouver, the zoning changes being considered, and hear feedback on the proposals and how they relate to different neighbourhoods.

    Each workshop will consist of a staff presentation and small group discussions between participants.

    How to get involved

    All online neighbourhood workshops will be hosted by the City on Cisco WebEx. To register, please click on the Eventbrite link and follow the registration instructions.

    • Marpole - November 17th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here
    • Grandview-Woodland - November 19th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here
    • Kitsilano - November 24th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here
    • Mount Pleasant - November 25th, 2020 (6:00 - 7:15 PM) - Register here

    There will be 50 spaces available for each session. To ensure a diversity of perspectives, 25 spaces will be reserved for individuals who own their home and 25 spaces will be reserved for individuals living in rental or co-op housing.

    Registration is open to all and is not limited to those who live in the area. We encourage anyone who is interested in non-profit housing in these areas to register and attend.

    As the number of spaces is limited for these workshops, registration will be limited to one session per person. We also ask that individuals only register if they intend on attending the workshop, and unregister if plans change and you are unable to attend. If space for the workshop is filled but you would like to attend, please sign up for the waitlist through the Eventbrite link.

    Other opportunities to share your thoughts

    If you can’t make it to one of our neighbourhood workshops, there will also be an opportunity to review staff’s presentation materials and provide comments online from November 16th – December 7th. More details will be available on this webpage in the coming weeks.

    Questions?

    If you have any questions about the workshops, you can contact City of Vancouver Housing Policy staff at housingpolicy@vancouver.ca.

  • Talk Vancouver survey is live

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    11 Sep 2020

    We want to hear from you

    *UPDATE* The Talk Vancouver Survey is now closed, and the Talk Vancouver survey platform is down for the time being. Stay tuned for further updates and survey results

    A Talk Vancouver survey is currently open for public feedback on proposed changes to existing RM-4, RM-4N, and RM-3A areas to allow six storeys for non-profit social and co-op housing. The survey will be open through September 27.

    We want to hear from you

    *UPDATE* The Talk Vancouver Survey is now closed, and the Talk Vancouver survey platform is down for the time being. Stay tuned for further updates and survey results

    A Talk Vancouver survey is currently open for public feedback on proposed changes to existing RM-4, RM-4N, and RM-3A areas to allow six storeys for non-profit social and co-op housing. The survey will be open through September 27.