Household incomes and the costs of housing are always in flux, depending on things like your stage of life, the kinds of housing available to rent or own that match the stage of life you’re at and the costs of other life expenses such as food, clothing and transportation. Find out about a handful of Vancouver housing experiences.

1. A Home For
What’s Affordable to You? Everyone

2. What does
affordable mean?
Affordability is a relationship between income and housing costs.
Household incomes and the costs of housing are always in flux, depending on
things like your stage of life, the kinds of housing available to rent or own that
match the stage of life you’re at and the costs of other life expenses such as
food, clothing and transportation.

3. Why talk about
affordable housing
in Vancouver?
Vancouver’s housing prices are among the highest in
Canada. As a result, more and more people are struggling to
find a home in the City.

4. What is the City doing?
The City recognizes affordability impacts the ability for the homeless and
people with low-incomes as well as people with more moderate incomes to
find a home in Vancouver.
The Mayor’s Task Force on Housing Affordability is seeking innovative new ways to
create more housing options for these residents with lower and moderate incomes —
household incomes between $21,500 and $86,500.
The City of Vancouver’s Housing and Homelessness Strategy will continue to seek
solutions for ending homelessness and lower income residents who will not find housing in
the housing market as well as secure rental housing and homeownership initiatives for
those with more moderate incomes.

5. What are the benefits of
ensuring a home for everyone?
“Vancouver’s economy depends on
attracting and retaining talent.
Affordable housing of all types,
including market rentals, is essential
to the City’s current and future
competitiveness.”
John Tylee, Director of Policy and Research
Vancouver Economic Development Commission

6. Ensuring a Green & Healthy City
Affordable housing, green jobs, active living
and strong communities are all closely linked.
Housing that is affordable to those who work in the city is
vital to keep our economy strong.
The closer people live to their jobs the more time they have
for family, recreation, volunteering, socializing, and life-long
learning. And the shorter the trip to work, the less energy
used, and the more likely people will take transit, walk or
bike.

7. Ensuring Inclusive Neighbourhoods
Vancouver is a city of neighbourhoods, each
with its own history and identity.
Inclusive neighbourhoods include housing that is affordable
to lower and moderate income households – something for
people at all stages of life.
Inclusive neighbourhoods in Vancouver host a range of
housing types to fit a range of households, so people don’t
have to move elsewhere, away from transportation, jobs,
family and community.

8. Who do we need to re:THINK
housing for in our city?

9. Kai
Kai, a recent college grad, was happy to
find an entry level, full-time job in his field
at $14 per hour. He shares a condo in
Yaletown with two others and pays $570
rent + a share of the utilities. His job is
close, so he walks or bikes.
Kai thinks that sharing is okay for now,
but the owner is selling the condo and
they have to move ... the second time
this has happened in the last year. He’d
like to see more rental housing built in
the city.

10. Jason & Nicole
Now in their early 30s, Jason and Nicole
are debating whether to stay in
Vancouver. They really love city life, but
the “value for money” argument is
compelling, especially with extended
family visiting often from rural BC.
Jason and Nicole have a $30,000
downpayment and qualify for a $300,000
mortgage. Considering current options
available, that might be buying a fixer-
upper duplex in the east side, a new
condo in Port Coquitlam, or a detached
home in Vernon. Where will they choose
to live?

11. Phyllis & Jack
This couple raised a large family in a
single home near the PNE. Now in their
mid-70s and fairly healthy, they are living
on a fixed-income of about $50,000.
They are ready to downsize and cut
back on home maintenance.
Phyllis and Jack want to stay in the
neighbourhood near friends and familiar
places. They haven’t found any options
nearby. Some of their friends have
moved to the suburbs where one
bedroom condos are affordable. Phyl
wonders why there aren’t similar options
in Vancouver.

12. Betty
Betty’s mom, along with her two young
girls, came from Vietnam in 1998. They
still live together in a rented house that
the landlord hasn’t kept up very well
over the years. And, now five people live
in the house – a brother and his wife
came from Vietnam three years ago.
Betty is a grocery clerk and makes
about $2,200 a month. She’s started
courses at Langara College and really
wants a place of her own, but she can’t
find anywhere affordable ($600), close
to transit and where she feels safe.

13. Tanya,Viktor
& Kids
Living right downtown was great until
Tanya became pregnant with baby number
two. What seemed manageable, even fun,
in a one bedroom rental condo, won’t be
as manageable for much longer.
Their household income will go down by
30% while Tanya’s on maternity leave (to
about $60,000) so it’s likely they will keep
renting. A two bedroom townhouse would
be ideal, but there isn’t much choice in the
city. They don’t want to own a car, so
something near the Skytrain and close to
reliable child care is needed.

14. Henry
Henry is living on his own now in the
Killarney family home. His wife, who
suffers with dementia lives in a local
building that provides the support she
needs.
Henry feels it is time to move to an
apartment. His children suggested
moving closer to them in the suburbs.
That’s not for Henry. He wants to walk to
the community centre and nearby shops
in his neighbourhood. He doesn’t want to
spend too much on his new place as he
wants to keep some money to enjoy life
with his grand-children.

15. Find out more
vancouver.ca/housing