On June 8, 2026 Council endorsed affordable housing definitions for use by the City, which cover a range of housing needs in New Westminster. These definitions are in effect and apply to all relevant current development applications.
The definitions are as follows:
- Below Market a type of housing with rents that will not be more than 10% below average rents, all years, for the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area per unit (bedroom) type as published within the latest summary from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
- Non Market a type of housing with rents at the deepest subsidies, such as rent portion of assistance, or similar.
Projects that include near market units are not considered affordable housing for the purpose of the Citys affordable housing polices.
- Near Market a type of housing with rents that are anywhere between market rent and 9.99% below average rents, all years, for the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area per unit (bedroom) type as published within the latest summary from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Rental non-profit housing development applications on eligible sites proposing a minimum of 70% of total units with rents no higher than Below Market may be eligible for the Affordable Housing Accelerator Initiative. Additional information can be found on the Affordable Housing Accelerator Initiative webpage.