West Vancouver has approximately 1900 purpose built rental units, most of which were built in the 1960s and 1970s. This stock is now 40 to 50 years old, and may become vulnerable to loss through redevelopment. While the District has taken measures to prevent rental housing from being converted to strata-titled ownership, it has no legal authority to prevent the demolition of a rental apartment building, or to require that a redeveloped property remain rental.
The Housing Action Plan calls for an examination of policy options for retaining West Vancouver’s existing rental stock, and for encouraging the development of new purpose-built rental housing, as a priority initiative during 2013–2014.
Update on Purpose-Built Rental Housing
A report was presented to Council on April 28, 2014, providing an “Update on Purpose-Built Rental Housing”. This report provided a detailed examination of local government tools to protect existing purpose-built rental housing and support development of new rental housing, as well as provided a summary of the public consultation held in the early spring regarding the same topic. The report also discussed a proposed in-fill purpose-built rental housing application at 195 21st Street.