Housing Affordability

Expand all Collapse all

• For residents in housing need

  BC Housing

  Metro Vancouver Housing

  Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy Society​

  RainCity Housing (operator of 3030 Gordon Ave. Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing)

  Hope for Freedom ​ 

  Tri-Cities Street Survival Guide
  

  Winter Wise - Help for the Homeless

  Although the City of Coquitlam does not build or operate housing, we are proud to support our innovative partners through our AHRF grants program and other development incentives. The City works within its capacity and in partnership with other to promote housing affordability for all Coquitlam residents.​

• Resources for renters and landlords

  BC Residential Tenancies

  Mobile Home Park Redevelopment Tenant Assistance Policy

  Purpose-Built Rental Housing Redevelopment - Tenant Assistance Policy
  
  Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)

  BC - Residential Policy Guideline 2A: Ending a Tenancy for Occupancy by Landlord, Purchaser or Close Family Member

  BC - Residential Tenancy Policy Guideline 2B: Ending a Tenancy to Demolish, Renovate, or Convert a Rental Unit to a Permitted Use

  BC - Form #RTB-29: Four Month Notice to End Tenancy For Demolition, Renovation, Repair or Conversion of Rental Unit

• Getting involved

  Tricities Homelessness & Housing Task Group

  Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy

  Homeless Hub

  Stop Homelessneess

  BC Non-profit housing Association

Expand all Collapse all

• Housing / Developer Incentives

  The Affordable Housing Reserve Fund was established in January of 2009.  The Council adopted policy is an important tool for contributing towards potential affordable housing solutions across the housing continuum. Based on a continuation of the current density bonus system, the AHRF could grow to reach $20-25 million over the next 30-35 years (depending on development activity). Evaluation of the AHRF will occur every two years through a Housing Affordability updated report to Council and a time-and-value trigger (every three years or $7 million positive balance).

  • Coquitlam's Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (handout) 

• Success Stories

  3030 Gordon Ave. (Opened 2015)

  Council provided and rezoned City-owned land at 3030 Gordon Avenue for an emergency shelter and transitional housing facility to serve the Tri-Cities. The City of Coquitlam worked closely with RainCity Housing, the shelter operator, City Spaces Consulting and DYS Architects to ensure the facility design and operation addressed issues of neighbourhood fit, safety and security.  The facility opened in mid-December of 2015 and includes thirty emergency shelter beds and 30 transitional (short-stay) housing units and associated support services are provided onsite. The building can also provide shelter space for an additional 30 individuals during periods of extreme weather alerts.

  528 Como Lake Ave. (Opened 2012)

  Council provided and rezoned City-owned land at 528 Como Lake Avenue for a supportive housing project for single mothers and their children who are at-risk of homelessness. With the City land, a capital grant of $7.3 million from the Province, a Mortgage from BC Housing and $1 million raised by the YWCA, this project became a reality.  The 30-unit facility opened on November 9, 2012 and is operated by the YWCA of Metro Vancouver. The women and their children at Como Lake Gardens have access to a wide range of integrated YWCA services that enable them to transition out of poverty and move closer to economic independence. For more information and for rental applications, please visit the YWCA Housing Communities website.

  945 and 951 Charland Avenue

• Current Partnership Projects

  Market Rental Housing Projects - as of April 30, 2019
  
  

  Below Market / Non-Market Rental Housing Projects - as of April 30, 2019

  
  1358 Coast Meridian Rd. (RFEI)

  Further to a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) process, the City of Coquitlam selected Habitat for Humanity of Greater Vancouver as the successful proponent to build affordable housing on City-owned land at 1358 Coast Meridian Rd. The units will provide an opportunity for affordable home ownership for modest income families who are currently renting and would normally not qualify for a traditional mortgage. In January 2019, the City announced a formal Memorandum of Understanding with Habitat to move this project forward. 

  For information on this project, please contact Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver.

  1226 Johnson St. (Under Construction)

  In July 2017, Council voted to grant $177,545 from the City's Affordable Housing Reserve Fund towards 14 below-market (subsidized) rental units in a new 67-unit rental building for seniors in partnership with the Finnish Canadian Rest Home Association at 1226 Johnson St.

  For information on this project, please contact the Finnish Canadian Rest Home Association.

  
  Talitha Koum Society (Under Renovation)

  In July 2017, Council approved a $600,000 grant from the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund to the Talitha Koum Society to jointly purchase a home (which will then be leased back to Talitha Koum at no charge) to provide transitional housing to women with addictions and their children. The house is expected to open in early 2018 after renovations are completed.

  For information on this project, please contact the Talitha Koum Society.

  
  520 Como Lake Ave. (Under Construction)

  In July 2014, Council approved a rezoning and development permit at 520 Como Lake Avenue and density transfer from 528 Como Lake Avenue. The proposed development included a 26-storey market apartment building and a 3-storey, 7 unit, non-market family housing townhouse building.  The non-market townhomes will be managed by the adjoining YWCA facility at 528 Como Lake Avenue. In addition to the new non-market housing, the project will include a new indoor amenity space adjacent to the townhouses for the YWCA that will be shared between the existing units at 528 Como Lake Avenue and the new units.

  For information on this project, please contact YWCA Metro Vancouver.

• Learning

  • Adaptable and Accessible Housing Incentives
  • Affordable Housing Reserve Fund
  • Financing Amenities and Services
  • Incentives to Create Rental Housing​
  • Key Housing Affordability Terms
  • Mobile Home Park Redevelopment Tenant Assistance Policy
  • Purpose Built Rental Housing Redevelopment – Tenant Assistance Policy

Expand all Collapse all

• Key Reports to Council

  • Report to Council - Dec 09, 2019 – Concert Properties & 43 Housing Society – Burquitlam Park &  Whitgift Gardens – Fourth and Final reading and AHRF request
  • Report to Council-in-Committee - Dec 09, 2019 - Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS) Implementation Progress Report and 2020-2021 Work Program
  • Report to Council – Nov 18, 2019 – Affordable Housing Reserve Fund request – Anthem Properties & Affordable Housing Societies (PROJ 16-001)
  • Report to Council – Oct 28, 2019 – Affordable Housing Reserve Fund request – Concert Properties (Burquitlam Park) & 43 Housing Society
  • Report to Council-in-Committee – July 29, 2019 – Housing Affordability Strategy 2019 Initiatives and Emerging Issues
  • Report to Council - April 1, 2019 - Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (AHRF) Criteria Review
  • Report to Council – March 11, 2019 – Fourth and Final reading and Affordable Housing Reserve Fund request – 1029 & 1033 Austin Ave – Beedie Living & Vancouver Resource Society
  • Dec. 10, 2018 - HAS Implementation Progress Report and Affordable Housing Facilitator Update
  • Report to Council – Jan. 15, 2018 - HAS Implementation - 2017 Progress Report
  • Public Hearing - Nov. 27, 2017 - Text Amendment to Facilitate the Implementation of the Housing Affordability Strategy
  • Report to Council - Nov. 6, 2017 - Housing Affordability Strategy Implementation Bylaw Updates - Council amended this bylaw during first reading. Please contact staff for details.
  • Report to Council – Dec. 7, 2016 – HAS Implementation Progress Report and Presentation
  • Report to Council – Dec. 7, 2015 – HAS
  • Report to Council – Jul. 2​8, 2014 - 520 Como Lake 
  • Report to Council – Dec. 5, 2008 – AHRF policy
  • Report to Council – Jan. 20, 2006 – Mobile Home Park Redevelopment

• What we’re doing – Housing Affordability Strategy Implementation

  Short-term, high-priority actions from the Housing Affordability Strategy:

  1. Consider concentrating higher densities and a broader variety of dwelling types and tenures near transit, through the completion of the Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan;

  2. Encourage the development of designated market rental units (purpose-built and/or strata available for rental) through a suite of incentives as identified in the HAS;

  3. Review Zoning Bylaw density, parking, amenity space and other requirements to encourage the development of purpose-built rental housing;

  4. Consider permitting additional rental floor space above standard density allowances to encourage purpose-built rental subject to servicing, traffic, parking and urban design considerations;

  5. Employ a series of regulatory incentives to preserve existing rental and co-op housing;

  6. Contribute a portion of density bonusing into the AHRF based on the City’s Zoning Bylaw for the purpose of fostering housing affordability in accordance with the AHRF guidelines;

  7. Complete the sale of three City-owned sites in the Northeast previously identified for affordable housing, and direct one-third of the proceeds to immediately “jumpstart” the AHRF;

  8. A call for submissions and promotion of the availability and use of the AHRF;

  9. Call for partners to work with Coquitlam in addressing affordability and accessibility; and

  10. A Request for Proposals for an affordable housing project at 1358 Coast Meridian Road.