Housing Affordability
Through the Housing Affordability Strategy, Coquitlam's goal is to work with partners from the non-profit, private and public sectors to ensure that a wide variety of housing types, sizes, tenures and prices can be offered in Coquitlam in the years to come.
Housing affordability refers to a community’s ability to offer a wide variety of housing types, sizes, tenures and prices to support more complete and inclusive communities.
Housing affordability is a challenge in Coquitlam, not unlike other communities in Metro Vancouver. While the market meets the needs of many people, a growing number of residents have difficulty securing suitable housing that is affordable relative to their household’s income.
The City’s vision is to work within its capacity and in partnership with others to promote housing affordability for all Coquitlam residents.
The City of Coquitlam plays an important role in housing affordability and supporting affordable housing development by:
- Setting housing policy and establishing regulations
- Providing municipal resources (e.g. incentives, grants)
- Partnering with others on non-market housing projects and homelessness responses
- Advocating to federal and provincial governments for changes to housing policies
- Promoting quality design and innovation
The City’s mandate and resources to address housing affordability are limited without partnerships and funding from other governments.
2022 Housing Needs Report
The City’s Housing Needs Report (PDF) was completed in 2022 using the most current Census data to identify key housing issues, trends, and gaps in supply and demand.
The Housing Needs Report informs the City’s housing actions including, policies, programs and initiatives to support a more complete and inclusive community.
The 2022 report was updated with Census 2021 data in early 2023. The next comprehensive update is planned for 2028 in line with the 2026 Census release.
2024 Interim Housing Needs Report
In Spring 2024 the City completed an Interim Housing Needs Report Update (PDF) as required under new provincial housing legislation.
This update builds on the foundational work completed in the City’s 2022 Housing Needs Report (above) and will guide housing policies and land use planning in Coquitlam until the next comprehensive update.
The 2024 interim report update serves as an addendum to the previous report and incorporates new provincially mandated components, including standardized housing projections for the City over five- and 20-year periods (by 2026 and 2041).
In August 2025, the City received a Housing Target Order from the Province. The Order is in effect over a period of five years from September 1st, 2025 to August 31st, 2030. Over this period, the City is required to build 6,481 units and to submit annual progress reports to the Province.
The Housing Affordability Strategy (PDF) provides a vision, objectives, policy directions and specific actions to address housing affordability in Coquitlam. Policy direction in the Strategy allows the City to work within its municipal role and mandate, while leveraging strong partnerships with the development sector and other governments.
A Housing Affordability Strategy Companion Document (PDF) captures key learnings from the Housing Affordability Strategy process, recognizing that this may inform and enable solutions as the document evolves.
Subscribe to receive Housing Affordability Strategy email updates.
For more information:
- 02-26-2024 Report to Council-in-Committee Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS) Implementation Progress Report and 2024-2025 Emerging Issues (PDF)
- 02-27-2023 Report to Council-in-Committee: Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS) Implementation Progress Report and 2023-2024 Work Program (PDF)
- 02-28-2022 Report to Council-in-Committee Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS) Implementation Progress Report and 2022 – 2023 Work Program (PDF)
- 11-30-2020 Report to Council-in-Committee - Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS) Implementation Progress Report and 2021 Work Program (PDF)
- 12-09-2019 Report to Council-in-Committee Housing Affordability Strategy (HAS) (PDF)
- 07-29-2019 Report to Council-in-Committee - Housing Affordability Strategy 2019 Initiatives and Emerging Issues (PDF)
- 12-10-2018 - HAS Implementation Progress Report and Affordable Housing Facilitator Update (PDF)
- 01-15-2018 Report to Council - HAS Implementation 2017 Progress Report (PDF)
As part of implementing the Housing Affordable Strategy, the City of Coquitlam supports the delivery of affordable and non-market housing through several key policies and tools, including:
Affordable Housing Reserve Fund
The City’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (PDF) is an important financial tool that promotes housing affordability through grant funding used to support non-market housing.
For more information:
- 12-08-2025 Report to Council – Housing Accelerator Fund Initiative 2 - Interim Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (AHRF) Policy (PDF)
- 04-01-2019 Report to Council - Affordable Housing Reserve Fund (AHRF) Criteria Review (PDF)
Priority Review Policy for Non-Profit Housing
The Priority Review Policy for Non-Profit Housing (PDF) supports eligible non-profit housing projects through faster application processing, a dedicated project facilitator, enhanced applicant support, and certain fee waivers to help improve project viability and meet funding timelines.
For more information:
Coquitlam’s Housing Affordability Strategy and Housing Needs Report highlight the importance of purpose-built rental housing in Coquitlam. The City has policies and incentives to help develop and retain rental housing to advance housing affordability and address housing needs in Coquitlam. For more information please visit the Rental Housing webpage.
As part of implementing the Housing Affordability Strategy, the City has a Tenant Relocation Policy that applies to property developers acquiring existing rental housing sites (multifamily, co-op, non-market, minimum of five units), with the intention of redeveloping.
Securing safe, affordable housing is a challenge for some Coquitlam residents. While the City does not build or operate housing, Coquitlam does work in partnership with other organizations that are providing housing supports and resources in Coquitlam.
Resources
- BC Residential Tenancies: the Province of BC’s Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) handles most rental disputes in BC. The RTB also provides information about residential tenancies. Visit the Residential Tenancy Branch, email Residential Tenancy Branch or call 1-800-665-8779.
- BC211: BC211 is a free, confidential service that connects people to local resources, including housing, shelter, mental health support, and other essential services. Dial or text 2-1-1, or visit bc211.ca.
- BC Housing: Visit bchousing.org or call 604-830-1528 or 778-862-0692 for more information on housing options across BC, including housing lists and other types of supports.
- Co-operative Housing Federation of BC: visit chf.bc.ca to find information on co-op housing listings in BC.
- Metro Vancouver Housing: Metro Vancouver provides affordable rental homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities with low to moderate incomes.
- Right Fit Program and Spinal Cord Injury BC: looking for an accessible unit? Check the Right Fit Program listing page and the Spinal Cord Injury BC affiliated list. The Right Fit Program helps match wheelchair users with accessible housing.
- Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC): For tenant advocacy and resources, visit tenants.bc.ca.
- Tri-Cities SHARE Rent Bank: Provides interest-free loans to low-income residents at risk of eviction. Learn more at sharesociety.ca.
- Coquitlam’s Tenant Relocation Policies: Is your rental home being redeveloped? Find out more about the City’s Tenant Relocation Policy and Mobile Home Park Redevelopment Tenant Assistance Policy (PDF).
- Services and Resources for Unhoused Individuals