Should Vancouver Allow Social Housing in All Neighbourhoods Without Rezoning?
Official title: Vancouver's social housing initiative
Why This Matters
Struggling to find affordable rent in Vancouver? This could mean more housing options in your neighbourhood. If you're on a waitlist for social housing, faster approvals could shorten your wait. Even homeowners should pay attention—this changes what can be built next door.
What Could Change
Social housing projects could skip the rezoning process entirely, cutting months off approval timelines. Mixed-income buildings with supportive housing would be allowed in every Vancouver neighbourhood. The proposal goes to a public hearing on November 27, 2025, with Council making the final decision.
Key Issues
- Should social housing be allowed in all neighbourhoods without rezoning?
- How should zoning rules change to speed up affordable housing construction?
- What building types and heights should be allowed for social housing projects?
How to Participate
- Review the updated proposal summary to understand the proposed zoning changes.
- Read the referral report for the final proposal going to Council.
- Submit comments to City Council through the public hearing contact page or register to speak at the November 27, 2025 public hearing.
Events
| Date | Event | Location | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 27, 2025 | Public Hearing - Vancouver's Social Housing Initiative | — |
What Happened
The second phase of public engagement ran from June 10 to July 8, 2025, collecting feedback through an online survey, paper comment forms, and in-person and virtual meetings. The results have been summarized in an engagement report. The proposal has now been referred to a Public Hearing on November 27, 2025.