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Build 6-storey affordable housing without rezoning in Vancouver?


Discuss a City of Vancouver proposal for new development incentives to allow 6-storey non-profit and co-op housing in existing low-rise apartment areas without a rezoning

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The City of Vancouver is working on changes to streamline the development process for new nonprofit housing in select apartment areas across the City. These changes are intended to help existing non-profit societies and co-ops renew existing buildings and build more housing over time. The proposal would allow development of 6-storey social and co-op housing in Vancouver’s RM4 and RM3A zones (see image) RM3a and RM4 zones in Vancouverwithout a rezoning process. This could save nonprofits time, cost, and risk when considering a development. These zoning areas cover many of the City’s mid-rise apartment neighborhoods, including Grandview-Woodland, East Kits, Mount Pleasant, and Marpole.

Housing Central is supporting the City of Vancouver to inform and consult with the community housing sector on the changes being considered. In the presentation City staff will outline the proposed changes and implications and opportunities for the community housing sector. Presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion. As staff are preparing to bring this information to Council we are supporting the City of Vancouver to engage with non-profits, co-ops and development consultants who operate, own, or are looking to expand co-op or non-profit housing in the City of Vancouver.

Speakers:

Edna Cho, City of Vancouver

Edna has worked in Community Planning and Housing Policy at the City of Vancouver for more than a decade. Her experience developing and implementing policy spans the range from city-wide initiatives to grass-roots community involvement. Over the last several years, she has worked on developing key rental housing policies in Vancouver, including the Rental 100: Secured Market Rental Housing Policy, Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy, Vancouver Housing and Homelessness Strategy, and contributed to a number of housing initiatives and research projects. She holds a Master of Arts in Urban Studies from Simon Fraser University.

Sarah Ellis, City of Vancouver

Sarah is a public policy specialist working for the City of Vancouver, with a special focus on housing policy. She graduated from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government with a Master in Public Policy, and went on to work in affordable housing policy in Washington, D.C. before moving to Vancouver. Sarah first got her start in housing through community organizing around the foreclosure crisis in Boston, and believes strongly in the power of communities to organize and make change.

Chris Mah, City of Vancouver

Chris works in Housing Policy at the City of Vancouver in the Planning, Urban Design and Sustainability Department. Chris has experience working on a diversity of housing initiatives and policies at the City, including the Secured Rental Policy, Housing Vancouver Annual Progress Report and Data Book, and Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy. Chris holds a Master of Community and Regional Planning degree from UBC.

Get involved

For the webinar on September 23rd: REGISTER HERE

We want your input on these proposals for non-profit social and co-op housing.

To learn more and to take the survey, please visit our website: https://shapeyourcity.ca/non-profit-affordable-housing . The survey will be open until September 27th.

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