Affordable housing on District-owned lands
We are working to build a healthy community with a diverse selection of housing that fits the needs of residents of all ages, incomes, abilities, and household sizes.
To help meet current needs, we're continuously looking at the potential for adding social and supportive affordable rental housing on District-owned sites.
New social and supportive housing on District-owned land can help ensure low- to moderate-income households, including those vulnerable to homelessness and in need of supports, are able to live and work in the District.
What is social housing?
Social housing is non-market or below-market rental housing operated by non-profit operator. Housing is generally considered affordable when a household pays less than 30% of its pre-tax income on housing costs. The specific rents and level of subsidy depends on a number of factors, including funding sources and partnerships.
What is supportive housing?
Supportive housing is subsidized housing with on-site supports for single adults, seniors and people with disabilities at risk of or experiencing homelessness. These supports help people find and maintain stable housing.
News and updates
October 24, 2023 – Public hearing (Old Lillooet Road housing site)
A public hearing was held for proposed bylaw amendments to facilitate the development of multi-family social housing on the District-owned site located at Old Lillooet and Lillooet Roads (southwest corner).
Read the public hearing documents and staff presentation in the ‘Key documents’ tab.
October 17, 25, and November 8, 2023 – Public information meeting (East Keith Road supportive housing)
BC Housing is hosting in-person and virtual public information meetings for the proposed bylaw amendments for District-owned land located at 1200 block of East Keith Road. This would facilitate the development of supportive housing on the site in the future.
The public information meetings are your chance to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and share your thoughts.
October 5 to 18, 2023 – Public information meetings (Old Lillooet Road housing site)
We hosted in-person and virtual public information meetings for the proposed bylaw amendments for District-owned land located at Old Lillooet and Lillooet Roads (southwest corner). This would facilitate the development of multi-family social housing on the site in the future.
The public information meetings are your chance to learn more about the proposal, ask questions, and share your thoughts with staff.
October 3, 2023 – First reading (Old Lillooet Road and East Keith Street sites)
We presented bylaw amendments to facilitate the development of affordable and supportive housing on two District-owned properties:
- Southwest corner of Old Lillooet and Lillooet Roads
- 1200 block of East Keith Road
Read the staff reports to Council in the ‘Relevant documents’ tab.
Background
Public engagement on potential affordable housing sites
On November 2, 2020, Council directed staff to prepare scenarios that would permit affordable housing on several District-owned sites. Staff presented the scenarios at the Regular Meeting of Council on December 13, 2021.
At that time, Council asked staff to proceed with public engagement on two of the sites:
- 900 St. Denis Avenue
- Mountain Highway and Hunter Street (southeast corner)
We presented a public engagement plan in March 2022, and public engagement took place from April to May 2022 using various techniques for community and stakeholder input.
Read a summary of what we heard in the 'Relevant documents' tab.
Learn more about the two sites
Approved sites for social and supportive housing
Since 2011, the District has approved the following sites for social and supportive housing on District-owned lands:
- 2670 Lloyd Avenue (supportive housing) – completed
- 2431 Burr Place (supportive housing) – completed
- 267-271 Orwell Street (social housing) – under construction
- 110 block West 16th Street (supportive housing) – rezoning approved
- 600 West Queens Road (social housing) – under construction