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Housing information

Last updated on December 8, 2022

Below is a list of housing information and resources for local government.

  • Smart Bylaws Guide Summary (PDF, 52 pages): a collection of tools designed by West Coast Environmental Law to help municipal governments implement smart growth strategies through local bylaws and policies. Find case studies, technical standards and bylaws that can be tailored to your municipality.
  • NIMBYism: examine why there is sometimes community resistance to non-market housing and learn how to respond to it. Learn more about "Not In My Back Yard" (NIMBY): NIMBY toolkit (PDF) 1995, 50 pages
  • Housing Affordability and Choice: A Compendium of ACT Solutions (PDF, 39 pages): summarizes the many affordable housing projects funded by the former Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) program.
  • Alternative Development Standards Guide (PDF): presents the results of the Affordability and Choice Today (ACT) projects along with technical information and guidance for development professionals such as engineers, planners and builders.
  • The "Homes Now" initiative: organized by Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue, brought together community and business partners to encourage innovative solutions for affordable home ownership in Metro Vancouver. Learn more about Homes Now
  • Review of Best Practices in Affordable Housing (PDF): this 108 page document reviews a range of affordable housing approaches used by local governments in Canada and the U.S., including: inclusionary zoning, density bonus, rent restrictions, resale price restrictions, secondary suites policy, and demolition policy.
  • Creating Market and Non-Market Affordable Housing: a SmartGrowth Toolkit for BC Municipalities,a guide that profiles B.C. communities using the approaches identified in a best practice review.
  • Find housing research and policies, international papers, multimedia files, infographics and more in the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association's resource library.

The content on this website is periodically reviewed and updated by the Province of British Columbia as per the date noted on each page: February 20, 2018.

BC Housing is a Crown Corporation that supports social housing, affordable housing, emergency shelters and out reach for homeless people and regulates residential construction. It also administers rent supplements. BC Housing reports to the Minister of Housing.

Learn more about strata housing at the Province's strata housing website including information on: