COQUITLAM, B.C., Feb. 28, 2023 – Coquitlam continued to deliver on its Housing Affordability Strategy in 2022, bringing more rental housing, support for the homeless and housing grants to the community.
Yesterday afternoon, Coquitlam Council received an update on the progress of the Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS). An infographic summarizing these achievements is available at www.coquitlam.ca/housing. As reported, 460 new rental units were completed in 2022 and more than 11,300 units were in the development approval process by the end of 2022, thanks to the City’s development incentives.
Strategy Positioning Coquitlam as a Housing Leader
Since its adoption in 2015, Coquitlam’s innovative strategy, which provides a vision, objectives, policy directions and specific actions to address housing affordability in the city, has put Coquitlam on a path to being one of the major contributors of secured rental housing within the Metro Vancouver Region.
There are currently more than 5,200 dedicated purpose-built rental units in Coquitlam with over 930 of those having been built since the adoption of the City’s rental incentives program in 2017.
Those numbers will continue to rise as more units work their way through the development process and as Coquitlam continues to incentivize the development of rental housing within the community.
2022 Program Successes
HAS activities and successes in 2022 spanned a variety of key program areas.
New Rental Housing
- 460 new units of dedicated rental housing completed in 2022 (275 market rental and 185 below or non-market rental).
- More than 11,300 market rental units and more than 2,100 below or non-market rental units are currently in the development approval process.
Affordable Housing Projects on City-owned Lands
- Progress 1348 Coast Meridian Road project (in partnership with Habitat for Humanity). In addition to advancing design and approvals, Habitat for Humanity secured a $5 million financial contribution from a private donor.
- Sydney Avenue and Cartier Avenue (Maillardville Community Centre), which will both provide affordable housing for seniors, are advancing through planning approvals and are in the final stages of procurement for a non-profit operator.
Affordable Housing Reserve Fund
- Granting of $3.3 million from the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (AHRF) to support 164 non-market rental units.
- Since 2017, more than $17.3 million has been granted from the AHRF to support 753 new non-market and below market rental units.
- Currently another $7 million from the AHRF is committed to projects including grants to non-profit housing provides that have partnered with BC Housing and developers to deliver below and non-market rental units.
Support for the Homeless
- Supported the 20-bed overnight winter shelter program in partnership with the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group, Progressive Housing Society and four local churches who hosted the shelter on a rotating basis.
- Through a $306,000 grant from UBCM’s Strengthening Communities’ Services Funding, the City was able to fund additional outreach through the Hope for Freedom and Phoenix societies, including mental health outreach services. A portion was also used to deliver a training and education program to City staff in order to foster increased understanding and awareness of barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness.
- Operational review of the temporary shelter and supportive housing at 3030 Gordon in order to identify current barriers and opportunities.
Policy and Administrative Improvements
- Council approved the Housing Needs Report in Feb. 2022, which was updated with new Census data in 2023. This updated document informs the HAS 2023-2024 work program.
Plans for 2023
Related work in 2023 will include:
- Ongoing monitoring and assessment of adopted policies and programs in order to adapt to changing Provincial and Federal housing policy landscape and funding opportunities.
- Reviewing the unit mix being provided through development to ensure that it aligns with the needs identified in the Housing Needs Report.
- Reviewing opportunities to increase supportive housing in Coquitlam.
- Continuing to coordinate the winter shelter program with the Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group.
- Exploring opportunities and recommendations through review to improve the operation of 3030 Gordon Avenue and continue to have quarterly discussions with the non-profit operator.
- Considering potential zoning bylaw amendments that would allow temporary shelters in certain institutional zones, and lock-off suites in townhomes.
- Reviewing and considering broadening the current Affordable Housing Reserve Fund program and criteria.
- Continuing advancement of developments on City-owned lands.
About Coquitlam’s Housing Affordability Strategy
Coquitlam’s Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS) was adopted by City Council in December 2015 to broaden the variety of housing types, sizes, prices and ownership in the city. A cornerstone of the Strategy is the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (AHRF), which acts as the key funding mechanism for affordable housing projects by leveraging a portion of density bonus contributions from development towards potential affordable housing options. Information about the strategy, including AHRF qualification criteria, is available at www.coquitlam.ca/housing.
Media contact:
Genevieve Bucher
Director, Community Planning
604-927-3490
gbucher@coquitlam.ca