Raising the roof – housing options in West Vancouver
The housing issue is never far away from the minds of West Vancouverites! On two occasions now the WV Council has considered the future of the current 30 buildings which constitute the rental-only zone in the heart of Ambleside. So far, these discussions have been inconclusive, but we need to keep the pressure on Council to ensure that the right decisions are made in the interests of the tenants of West Vancouver. If you haven’t yet, please go to https://westvancouver.ca/mayor-council/correspondence to make your views known on the key features of such a bylaw, including protection for the renters and a sturdy Relocation policy in case of any building alterations.
To buy or to rent? That is the first question.
You may not be aware of the range of potential housing options in West Vancouver and your housing decisions will likely depend on where you are in your life . Whether you are a recent graduate, a mid-career professional, recently retired and downsizing, or you have a dual-income household and children at school, or you’d just love to live near your grown-up children, here are some questions to help you make this decision:
Is security of tenancy an issue?
Renters are protected by the BC Residential Tenancy Branch
How long do you plan to stay in one place?
Long-term ownership allows you to maximize your investment.
Do you have funds for a mortgage?
Amounts range from 2.5% to 20% of home value.
Can you access mortgage helpers?
roommates, lock-off suite, or help from Mom and Dad?
Are you secure in your income?
Will your income cover maintenance cost or do you want to be free of maintaining a home?
There is much media coverage on the rent vs. buy question. Here are a few examples:
The Renting Option – While rents are high and availability is low, West Vancouver is working to maintain and increase our rental pool.
Market-rental options exist, and there are development plans underway such as in the Park Royal area. Renting can be more affordable than buying due to lower expenses and increased flexibility. Rents will always go up, but annual increases and the threat of tenancy termination are strictly controlled by the BC Residential Tenancy Branch. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies Make sure you know your rights!
Below-market rentals in West Vancouver for adults and families – most have wait lists and eligibility criteria includes age, income, assets, independent living, and BC residency. A few examples, with links below:
- Kiwanis has rentals for low-income adults, age 55+ https://kiwanisnorthshorehousing.org/ ; rentals for moderate-income families and adults are under construction and will be available in 2026https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/west-van-celebrates-start-of-affordable-rental-housing-project-7818983
- Rotary has housing for low-income adults (age 55+) and families in Ambleside and Klahanie. There are plans to expand the Klahanie below-market housing. https://www.seniorsservicessociety.ca/location/klahanee-park-lodge/ ; https://westvancouver.ca/business-development/development-applications/380-klahanie-court
- BC Housing has rentals for low- to moderate-income tenants and subsidized needs – register on the Housing Registry to get yourself on a waiting list. https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-housing
We hope this has given you some fresh, positive perspectives on housing in West Vancouver. Watch for our April eNewsletter for more practical options for owning your own home!