Miscellaneous CD-1 By-law Amendments
Motion 37 · Council Meeting, July 29, 2026
Summary
- Staff propose amendments to housing rezoning conditions and Housing Agreements for 11 existing residential development projects across Vancouver, including sites on Prince Edward Street, Kingsway, Arbutus Street, Granville Street, Barclay Street, Burnaby Street, and West Hastings Street.
- Three of the projects qualify under the Rental Development Relief Program (RDRP), a two-year pilot (February 2026 – December 2027) that allows eligible below-market rental projects to ease affordability requirements from a 20% discount to CMHC city-wide average rents, down to rents at or at CMHC average levels, to improve financial viability.
- Five low-rise projects — primarily west-side developments under the RR-3B district schedule — would see below-market rental rate discounts reduced from 20% to 10% below CMHC city-wide averages, consistent with Council's recently approved fast-tracking rental housing policy updates.
- Housing Agreements are registered on title and are the City's primary legal tool to secure rental tenure, below-market rents, and income-qualification requirements in perpetuity, binding current and future owners.
- Amended agreements under the RDRP require projects to obtain a Stage 1 building permit within 24 months of Council approval, and tenant protections under the Tenant Relocation and Protection Policy remain unchanged.
- The changes are intended to reduce financial and operational risks, support project viability in difficult market conditions, and help ensure committed affordable housing units are actually built.