Progress on our housing objectives

Maintaining a healthy, inclusive, and vibrant community by providing more diverse and affordable housing choices for people of different ages, incomes, and family sizes — and focusing that growth in connected town and village centres — are key objectives of our Official Community Plan (OCP).

Since the OCP was adopted by Council in 2011, we have developed a number of strategies to help us meet our housing objectives, particularly for increasing housing diversity and choice, and providing more affordable and rental housing.

In November 2023, the provincial government passed legislation with a goal to increase housing supply and improve affordability in all B.C. municipalities. The new legislation fundamentally changes how the District – and all local governments in B.C. – plans, considers and approves development and growth across our entire community. Learn more about these changes.

This page features recent housing data that reflects our progress on key housing goals identified in the OCP. The data is updated about once a month. 

On this page:


OCP Goal: Focus growth in town and village centres

The OCP establishes a network of connected town and village centres, and directs future growth and renewal to these centers.

Each centre is envisioned as a complete community that supports effective transit, walking, and cycling, promotes healthier living and social interaction, and protects our surrounding green space.

Learn more about town and village centres

Housing in town and village centres (built)

We estimate there will be a need for about 9,000 new homes within town and village centres by the end of 2030. Here are the number of homes we've built toward meeting that target.

Housing in town and village centres (built and approved)

In addition to the homes that have already been built within town and village centres, there are a number of other homes that have been approved by Council, but not yet built. Here is the combined total. 

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OCP Goal: Provide a diverse range of housing types

Our housing mix, comprised largely of detached single family homes, has not kept pace with the needs of our changing community profile. Providing more diverse and affordable housing choice is needed for seniors, young singles, couples, and families with children to ensure a healthy, diverse, and vibrant community

Housing for varied incomes and needs (built)

To accommodate the needs of new residents — while addressing the existing demand for accessible, safe, and affordable housing — we have developed a tool called a 'housing continuum,' which shows all the kinds of housing that our community needs, from subsidized emergency and supportive housing, to single family home ownership. 

 Here are the number of homes we've built to meet the need for housing across the continuum. 

Housing for varied incomes and needs (built and approved)

In addition to the homes that have already been built, there are a number of homes that have been approved by Council but not yet built, to meet the needs of housing across the continuum. Here is the combined total. 

Housing for varied family structures (built)

The OCP encourages and facilitates a wide range of multi-family housing sizes, including units suitable for families with an appropriate number of bedrooms, and smaller apartment units.

Here are the number of homes we've built toward meeting the need for varied family structures.

Housing for varied family structures (built and approved)

In addition to the homes that have already been built, there are a number of other homes that have been approved by Council but not yet built. Here is the combined total. 

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Our housing and development progress in depth

This section features details of development and multi-family housing applications since the adoption of the Official Community Plan in June, 2011.

  • In-stream data — includes all rezoning applications that were submitted to the District, but had not received Council approval, nor been withdrawn by the applicant. These include preliminary and detailed rezoning applications, as well as applications between these stages.
  • Approvals, 2011 to 2023 — includes rezoning applications approved after OCP adoption (June 27, 2011), applications approved before OCP adoption, but occupied after OCP adoption, and development permits (not requiring rezoning) approved after OCP adoption

 

These graphs are best viewed on a desktop computer

Related Council reports

Each year, staff present Council with an update on the historical and projected pace of development in the District. These updates contain detailed data and analysis about all of the development that took place over the previous calendar year.

Here are the reports for the past six years: 

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Housing definitions

  • Supportive housing  — Provides on-site supports and services to residents who cannot live independently. This housing is typically for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, and includes:
    • Safe houses
    • Emergency housing
    • Complex care housing
    • Other supportive housing
       
  • Social housing — Owned by a not-for-profit organization, a co-op, or a government. Rents are subsidized (usually by the government) making it possible for people with lower incomes to find housing they can afford. Household income must be below certain limits in order to be eligible
     
  • Social housing (rental) — Includes purpose-built rental units secured for rental at the time of occupancy including those secured under time-limited covenants with BC Housing or other agencies
     
  • Market housing (owned) — Privately owned by an individual (or a company) who generally does not receive direct subsidies to purchase or maintain it. Prices are set by the private market
     
  • Market housing (rental) — Includes purpose-built rental units secured for rental at the time of occupancy including those secured under time-limited covenants with BC Housing or other agencies

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About our housing data

All of the housing data provided on this page was produced by, and belongs to, the District of North Vancouver.

The data was correct at the time it was last updated, but may have changed since then. Before making any decisions that rely on the data, check with us to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. 

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