Presentation to the CHRA Congress

Canadian Rental Housing Coalition

Who is the Rental Housing Coalition?• BC Apartment Owners and Managers Association• BC Non-Profit Housing Association • Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC • Co-op Housing Federation of BC • Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association• Metro Vancouver • Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver• TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre• Urban Development Institute• Vancity Enterprises

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The Problem• Home ownership is out of reach for many• Rental is the alternative, but choices are limited• True “purpose-built” rental supply is shrinking with little new supply• Secondary rental market (basements, condo rentals) is good but has

drawbacks.

Number % Number %Households spending 30% or more of income on rent 80,000 31% 982,000 27%

Metro Vancouver Canada

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• 6,500 new rental housing units needed in Metro Vancouver each year; most needed for households with annual incomes under $45,000

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• Many basement suites are well below ground

• Lack of natural light• Limited fire escape, other code issues• Can be prone to moisture issues

Basement Suites

Without Affordable Rental Housing:

• It is difficult to maintain a viable workforce for the local economy, especially for small and medium sized businesses

• Low and modest income families have less money to pay for other essentials

• An increasing population of seniors, especially those on limited incomes, need housing

• Young professionals leave town• 20 -30 year olds continue to live with mom and dad

and defer adult responsibilities/families.

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Why Not More Purpose Built Rental Construction?• Construction, permitting and land costs • Unfavourable investment return compared to other

options like strata development• Public opposition to rental housing• Existing tenant opposition to redevelopment of

existing rental• Public opposition to density• Loss of senior government programs for affordable

rental housing

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Will this problem go away? • Real incomes for families are decreasing• Pensions and savings for seniors are under

pressure• Rental demand will likely stay high• “Purpose built” rental supply is not being built• A large portion of the existing rental stock is at

the end of its life span • Rents continue to increase

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“What about Rental Condos and Basement Suites?”• Both are an important part of rental supply• Most cities are now recognizing/legalizing suitesBut:• Rental condos are expensive ($1.90-2.50 per sq.

ft.)• Basement suites may be sub-standard or downright

unsafe• Both rental condos and basement suites lack

‘security of tenure’ • Particularly worrisome to families and seniors

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Rental Housing

33%

16%23

%

12%

15%

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• About 1/2 of total rental supply offers little security of tenure

• About 1/3 of total rental supply is in a shrinking pool.

A 9 Point Coalition Platform1. Implement a National Economic Strategy that

includes rental housing2. Reinstate federal tax incentives to stimulate private

market rental housing3. Increase the viability of non-profit and co-op housing

by continued direct capital investment and providing long-term low-cost financing

4. Increase the supply of federal, provincial and municipal land for affordable rental housing

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5. Modify property assessment practices that over-value rental properties relative to other forms of residential use

6. Review all provincial taxes, including property transfer tax, to ensure they do not impede delivery of rental housing

7. Encourage municipalities to adopt policies that support rental housing construction, for example increase density where appropriate, reduce or eliminate fees and charges, reduce regulatory requirements and streamline approvals

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8. Long term commitment from industry to support innovation in the design , financing and construction of affordable market rental housing

9. Long term commitment from the non-profit sector to work with the public and private sectors to develop and maintain adequate, safe, secure and affordable rental housing

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A Coalition at a Crossroads• There is strong demand in major urban centres

and even smaller cities across Canada for more rental housing, and the Coalition is in demand

• CHRA and numerous endorsements across Canada

• Perhaps the most important changes in the Coalition platform lie at the Federal level

• This is a true Canadian issue - a Coalition must represent the most stakeholders possible

SO…Wouldn’t it make sense for a National Coalition?

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What are the Coalition’s next steps?• Work should continue by the Coalition in BC• There’s growing recognition that a national approach

is needed• Many of the Coalition members have national

organizations – can this be leveraged into a national coalition?

• The Coalition has not met this year but will regroup shortly to examine the BC, and if possible, a national strategy.

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Thank youQuestions?

Contact:margaret.eberle@metrovancouver.org