Serving an important role in the community, rental housing provides affordable housing to households with varied income levels while enabling flexibility for workers who require proximity to their workplace. Rental housing is a City priority.
Rental housing is comprised of purpose-built rental apartments, condominium rentals, single-family house rentals, secondary suites and rooming houses.
Rent Bank
The New Westminster Rent Bank (NWRB) is a housing stabilization program geared towards low-income residents of New Westminster who are experiencing a temporary financial crisis. It is operated by the Lower Mainland Purpose Society. The NWRB can offer a low-fee, short-term loan to low-income individuals and families that live in the City of New Westminster and are at risk of eviction or essential utility disconnection due to a temporary shortage of funds.
The City of New Westminster is a proud supporter of the New Westminster Rent Bank. The City has provided funding to cover the administrative costs associated with operating the rent bank program.
Draft Rental Replacement Policy
The Draft Rental Replacement Policy has been developed to ensure that redevelopment of older purpose-built market rental buildings does not lead to loss of affordable rental housing thereby displacing existing tenants and to add to the supply of rental and below-market rental in New Westminster.
On January 14, 2019, Council directed staff to apply the Draft Rental Replacement Policy as an interim guideline to move applications under Pre-Application and/ or initial Formal Application Review forward for consideration.
The draft policy applies to all existing purpose-built market rental housing sites where redevelopment will remove more than 6 rental units. Applicants seeking rezoning are expected to provide 100% of the secure market rental units including 10% of total units secured as below-market rental units.
New Unit Additions in Existing Rental Buildings
The Policy for the Review of New Unit Additions in Existing Rental Buildings (2024) has been developed to guide the review of proposals to add new residential units within existing purpose-built rental buildings, with the intent to ensure the retention and revitalization of existing rental units is balanced with the provisions of new ones.
This policy applies to any development application that proposes adding units to an existing rental building, such as converting unused spaces to new homes. If City Council approval (i.e. Development Variance Permit) is needed, compliance with all aspects of the policy is required. If no Council approval is needed, the City will encourage property owners and developers to follow the policy as a best practice and to enter into a Housing Agreement with the City.
Secured Market Rental Housing Policy
On May 13, 2013, the City adopted the Secured Market Rental Housing Policy. The strategies and actions outlined in the policy are aimed at retaining, renewing and enhancing the supply of secured rental housing.
Housing Agreements
Housing Agreements are used to secure rental housing, ensuring that housing built to be used as rental remains as rental.
Moratorium on Strata Conversions
Due to the limited development of rental housing in recent years, purpose-built rental structures are comprised primarily of older rental housing. The City has experienced a loss of no more than 3% from redevelopment, thanks to a moratorium on strata conversion of older purpose-built rental buildings.
Now, New Westminster's purpose-built rental apartment stock is ageing and 10% of rental apartment units require major repair.
Laneway and Carriage Houses
Laneway and Carriage Houses are compact, detached, ground-oriented dwellings located in backyards. They can provide housing options for family members, or can be rented out. Laneway and carriage houses offer more privacy and independence than secondary suites, as well as access to backyard space.
New Westminster's Laneway and Carriage House program began in 2017 after the building form was permitted through the updated Official Community Plan. It is expected that laneway and carriage houses will be developed on single detached dwelling properties across the city in the coming years, contributing to the diversity of rental housing available.
Secondary Suites
Secondary suites are recognized as a legitimate form of affordable rental housing. Often, they provide an affordable option for students, single people, young working couples and small families.
Since New Westminster's Secondary Suites Program began in 1998, numerous legal suites have been implemented and many unregistered suites have been identified. The implication? Secondary suites potentially make up 10% of New Westminster's housing stock. Based on an analysis of the City's legal suites, most legal secondary suites are located in newer homes.