Housing Rezoning Conditions Amendments
Motion 31 · Council Meeting, July 29, 2026
Summary
- Council is asked to approve amendments to housing rezoning conditions and housing agreements for 11 existing residential developments across Vancouver, including sites on Prince Edward Street, Kingsway, Arbutus Street, Granville Street, Barclay Street, Burnaby Street, and West Hastings Street, among others.
- Three of the 11 projects are seeking changes under the Rental Development Relief Program (RDRP), a two-year pilot (February 2026–December 2027) approved by Council in December 2025 to support the viability of mid- and high-rise below-market rental projects during difficult financial conditions.
- RDRP-eligible projects may adjust below-market rents from a 20% discount to CMHC city-wide average rents, to rents at or up to CMHC city-wide averages — still significantly below rents for new market buildings, which were approximately 25% higher than city-wide averages in 2024.
- Five low-rise projects are also seeking amendments, primarily to adjust below-market rental rates from a 20% discount to a 10% discount off CMHC averages, consistent with recently approved updates to the Residential Rental Districts policy aimed at improving project feasibility.
- Housing agreements are legal tools registered on title that bind current and future owners to rental tenure, affordability, and reporting requirements; all amended agreements will require owner consent and subsequent Council approval by by-law before taking effect.
- The amendments are intended to reduce operational and compliance risks, improve project viability, and ensure housing outcomes are actually delivered in the context of current construction market challenges.