Publications

What's New

Memorandum of Understanding On May 21, 2008, the Government of Canada, Province of B.C. and First Nations Leadership Council signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to work together to develop a comprehensive approach to improve housing for First Nations communities, individuals and families both on and off reserve.

Aboriginal Housing in British Columbia, A Needs and Capacity Assessment

Manufactured Home Study: An Examination of Issues Facing Mobile Home Park Communities Across B.C.

Planning Information for Local Governments

Freehold Tenure Row Housing: Discussion Paper (2003)
This 73-page paper explores the potential for increased production of freehold tenure row housing in the Greater Vancouver region. The paper identifies the potential advantages of encouraging this housing type in the Greater Vancouver region, and examines potential development barriers such as municipal regulatory bylaws and approvals procedures, and consumer and builder acceptance.

The paper also addresses technical issues such as party wall easements / agreements and home warranty and insurance practices, and presents a series of ten recommendations for further action. This document was prepared for the Housing Subcommittee of the GVRD Technical Advisory Committee by Bob Burgess, Domain Consulting Ltd.

Freehold Tenure Row Housing: Summary Report (2003)
A 33-page paper that builds on the Discussion Paper and documents a number of built freehold tenure row housing projects in the Greater Vancouver region as well as in Ontario, the United States and abroad. This document was prepared for the GVRD Policy and Planning Department by Ramsay Worden Architects and Domain Consulting Ltd.

Ground Oriented Medium Density Housing (2003)
The Greater Vancouver Regional District's Housing Subcommittee of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has produced this best practices guide to showcase innovative and successful initiatives of ground-oriented medium density housing around the region. This 2003 series, an update of the 2000 series, includes 25 ground-oriented housing projects in the planning stages, under construction, or built within the last three years.

Rental Housing Planning Guide (2002)
Provides tools for local government to promote and preserve their rental housing stock. This 46-page guide contains strategies for small and large communities to help them work with the housing industry to meet the needs of residents.

Annotated Bibliography on Universal Design

Local Government Guide to Market Housing Affordability (2005)
Guide illustrates how local governments in B.C. are making positive changes to increase supply and general affordability of market housing.

Local Responses to Homelessness: A Planning Guide for BC Communities (2000)
A comprehensive survey of successful strategies to fight homelessness throughout B.C.

Planning for Housing: An Overview of Municipal Initiatives in BC (2004)

Planning for Housing: An Overview of Municipal Initiatives in BC (2000)

Planning for Housing: An Overview of Municipal Initiatives in BC (1997)

Density Bonus Provisions of the Municipal Act - A Guide and Model Bylaw (1997)
Provides local governments in B.C. with a model zoning bylaw amendment that includes a provision for density bonusing.

Standards of Maintenance Bylaw - Guide and Sample Bylaw (1996)

Secondary Suites: A Guide for Local Governments (2005)
Designed to help local governments develop and implement secondary suite programs. Highlights practices intended to promote affordability, stability and quality in housing stock.

Supportive Housing for Seniors Policy and Bylaw Guide (1999)
Provides local governments in B.C. with model policies and other tools to encourage development of supportive housing in their communities.

Housing Policy

Local Government Forum on Homelessness (2006)
Eight web-based forums on homelessness were held during September 2006. Participants included more than 90 non profit organizations, service providers, and interested parties. The Office of Housing and Construction Standards compiled the reports of these consultations and developed an executive summary outlining common themes raised during the forums.

Housing Policy and Programs: Advances and Activities Since the Provincial Commission on Housing Options (1999)
Outlines the Province of British Columbia's actions to address affordable housing issues between December 1992 and April 1999.

Consumer Protection Information

Life Lease and Long Term Lease Housing: Discussion Paper (April 2003)
Life lease is a relatively new form of tenure in British Columbia being marketed to seniors. It is not subject to most legislative protections now being provided to tenants with shorter-term tenancies or to condominium owners. This paper provides background information on how life leases and long term leases work and issues we have identified.

Buying a New Home: A Consumer Protection Guide (1999)

Managing Major Repairs: A Condominium Owner's Manual (1999)
Further information is available on the Homeowner Protection Office Website

Rental Housing

Rental Housing Trends in B.C. (1995)
An overview and analysis of the private rental housing market in B.C. as at 1995.

Secondary Suites Progress Report (1996)
A 1996 summary of provincial government research and analysis regarding secondary suites.

Special Needs Housing

Homelessness - Causes and Effects Reports, Volume 1-4 (2001)
Describes homelessness in B.C.; reviews the relationship between homelessness and the health, criminal justice and social service systems; examines government policies in Canada; and estimates the cost of homelessness to governments.

Local Responses to Homelessness: A Planning Guide for BC Communities (2000)
A comprehensive survey of successful strategies to fight homelessness throughout BC

A Mini-Guide to Monitoring Property Values (2000)
The guide outlines several ways local government and community housing groups can monitor the effect of non-market housing on property values in their communities.

Impact of Non-Market Housing on Property Values Updated Research (1999/2000)

Toward More Inclusive Neighbourhoods (1996)
"The NIMBY Toolkit", provides helpful tips and tools for addressing and mitigating neighbourhood and community concerns with regard to the purchase or development of non-market or special needs housing.

Nowhere to Live (1995)
"Nowhere To Live" profiles the lives of 8 lower income urban singles who live in single room occupancy (SRO) hotels and other similar accommodation. The report outlines the housing problems faced by this group and provides potential solutions

Fact Sheet:

• Research Counters NIMBY (2000)

Supportive Housing for Seniors

Supportive Housing in Supportive Communities (1999)
Provides a synopsis of comments made during a consultation process, examines key policy issues and outlines an action plan. (Released jointly with the Ministry of Health and Ministry Responsible for Seniors)

Supportive Housing for Seniors Policy and Bylaw Guide (1999)
Provides local governments in B.C. with model policies and other tools to encourage development of supportive housing in their communities...

Fact Sheets:

• Overview - Supportive Housing for Seniors (2000)
• Seniors Housing Terminology (2001)
• Supportive Housing Options (1998)
• How Local Governments Can Help a Project (1998)

Resources (1998):

• Printed Materials on Supportive Housing for Seniors