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Vancouver Affordable Housing


Blog by Andrew Reid | August 30th, 2014


Solving the affordable housing issue in North and West Vancouver is challenging but not impossible.

Municipalities from West Vancouver to Burnaby should revise the development application process to encourage developers to build more affordable housing options. 

For example the District of North Vancouver and the City of North Vancouver should relax the parking requirements for new construction in transit friendly neighborhoods.   Underground parking increases the cost of construction which is passed on to the home buyer.  With available options like Zipcars and Car2Go more people are opting not to own a car and this trend in predicted to increase over the coming decades.

Promote zoning that encourages gentle densification such as front and back duplex on single family lots. Spot zone for townhouse developments were single family lots can be assembled to build more affordable townhome options.  There is a huge pent-up demand for quality townhomes.

Encourage smaller single family homes and allow owners to stratify and sell their laneway houses.

Revise development service charges to promote 3 bedroom family sized condos across the Greater Vancouver Regional District.