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Housing For Seniors

Affordable rentals are currently difficult to find in Vancouver. When their tenancy is threatened or ended, many elderly tenants on fixed incomes are unable to relocate anywhere near their former homes, even temporarily.

What Are Westside Seniors Hub Members Doing About Housing for Seniors?

Westside Seniors Hub (WSH) members and partners are actively engaged in advocacy, policy review, research, community education, and collaboration to improve housing security and affordability for seniors on Vancouver’s West Side and beyond.

Recent updates are listed first.

TIMELINE SNAPSHOT (Newest First)

2026 — Driving Change

  • Drafting OPEAC Housing Subcommittee recommendations (2024–2026) to inform the City of Vancouver’s Tenant Relocation & Protection Policy (TRPP) review
  • Monitoring City Council agendas and decisions affecting seniors’ housing
  • Advancing home sharing and gentle infill options in collaboration with SFU’s Hey Neighbour Collective
  • Promoting Canada Homeshare / Happipad as an immediately available housing option for seniors
  • Organizing a Seniors Resource Fair focused on social connectedness and aging well in community

2025 — Influencing Policy

  • Active participation on the Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee (OPEAC) Housing Subcommittee
  • In‑depth analysis of the Tenant Relocation & Protection Policy (TRPP)
  • Identification of inequities affecting non‑market and low‑income senior tenants
  • Preparation of briefing notes and statements for public hearings
  • Input provided on the Social Housing Initiative (SHI) and the impacts of the Broadway Plan
  • Ongoing collaboration with City planners, BC Non‑Profit Housing Association, Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre, the BC Seniors Advocate, and community partners
  • Promotion of home sharing as a viable and affordable housing option for seniors

2024 — Building the Foundation

  • Preparation of multiple Briefing Notes on seniors’ housing challenges
  • Convening WSH partners to identify housing as a top priority
  • Participation in housing forums, webinars, and City consultations
  • Engagement with the City of Vancouver, BC Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health, MLAs, and SFU Housing Solutions Lab
  • Advocacy for the adoption and implementation of the Seniors Housing Strategy
  • Exploration of seniors’ housing navigation supports, including the SHINE program

2023 — Setting Priorities

  • Survey of WSH partner organizations identifying housing affordability as a leading concern
  • Groundwork laid for sustained, coordinated housing advocacy

KEY IMPACTS

  • Seniors’ voices represented in decision‑making
    Seniors’ lived experiences and community evidence are brought directly into City policy discussions and reviews.
  • Stronger focus on fairness for senior tenants
    Inequities between market and non‑market housing protections for seniors have been identified and elevated.
  • Improved collaboration across sectors
    Relationships have been strengthened with municipal staff, housing providers, health partners, researchers, and advocates.
  • Practical housing options advanced
    Home sharing and gentle infill are being promoted as realistic, affordable ways for seniors to age in place.
  • Policy linked to real‑world needs
    City strategies are connected to the day‑to‑day housing realities faced by seniors and senior‑serving organizations.

Detailed Timeline

January – February 2026

  • Members of WSH and the OPEAC Housing Subcommittee began drafting a summary of 2024–2026 recommendations to inform the City’s upcoming Tenant Relocation & Protection Policy (TRPP) review.
  • WSH continues to monitor City Council agendas for housing-related reports and motions that affect seniors.
  • WSH’s part-time Seniors’ Resource Coordinator was appointed to organize a March 9 Seniors’ Resource Fair:
    Social Connectedness: Aging Well in Community.

    • Link: Seniors Resource Fair poster (PDF)
  • Through Council strategic planning, WSH committed to an initiative exploring home sharing and gentle infill options, in collaboration with SFU’s Hey Neighbour Collective.
    • The goal is to gauge community support for affordable alternatives that allow seniors to remain in their neighbourhoods while meeting changing housing needs.
  • As City staff conduct the 2026 TRPP review, WSH Council members are working with the OPEAC Housing Subcommittee on evidence‑based recommendations, drawing on planning reports and expert analysis.
  • WSH began gauging community awareness of home sharing options, including:
    • Seniors Housing Navigator (SFU Hey Neighbour Collective pilot, 2024)
    • Canada Homeshare – Happipad, sponsored by HelpAge Canada (already operating in Vancouver)

2025 – Ongoing Focus

Following a March 2025 presentation to OPEAC on the City’s TRPP, WSH intensified its advocacy through the OPEAC Housing Subcommittee.

  • Analysis revealed that non‑market housing tenants are treated differently from market tenants, and that low‑ to moderate‑income seniors often need additional supports to successfully relocate when displaced.

December 2025

  • WSH attended the City’s TRPP Roundtable presentations (Basic and Advanced) to support community readiness ahead of the 2026 policy review.
  • The City announced that new public-facing tenant awareness materials are forthcoming.
  • Presentations were shared with the OPEAC Housing Subcommittee.

Links

  • COV Webinar – TRPP Advanced – Dec 4, 2025 (PDF)
  • COV Webinar – TRPP Basics – Dec 3, 2025 (PDF)

November 2025

  • WSH members attended the 411 Seniors’ Housing Forum (Nov 6–7) and contributed information on potential home sharing initiatives.
  • WSH sponsored a Council member’s attendance at the BC Non‑Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) Housing Central Conference (1,000+ participants), gaining insights into successful housing models across BC.
  • WSH attended Housing Vancouver’s City Council presentation on the Social Housing Initiative (SHI).
    • Link: SHI Nov 2025 presentation to Council (PDF)

OPEAC Housing Subcommittee

  • Developed a statement for an upcoming public hearing:
    • Supported the SHI in principle
    • Identified gaps in implementation detail
    • Recommended stronger alignment with the Seniors Housing Strategy and Older Persons Strategic Framework

September – October 2025

  • WSH supported drafting a consensus document for OPEAC members:
    Executive Summary of OPEAC’s Assessment of the City of Vancouver’s TRPP.

August 2025

  • An OPEAC Housing Subcommittee working group began drafting a detailed Briefing Note on:
    • TRPP impacts
    • Housing affordability challenges for seniors
  • Once approved, the Briefing Note is intended to inform City housing planners and City Councillors, including recommendations for reform.
  • WSH Seniors’ Resource Coordinator supported planning for the 411 Seniors Housing Forum.

July 2025

  • The OPEAC Housing Subcommittee used WSH’s TRPP Analysis to draft an Executive Summary for OPEAC review.
  • WSH prepared Related Statistics and Sources to support the analysis.
    • Link: Related Statistics and Sources (PDF)
  • WSH shared updates with partner organizations and requested feedback.
  • WSH and OPEAC representatives met with Clémentine Montuelle, City of Vancouver Housing Policy Planner, to highlight seniors’ needs and gaps in tenant awareness.
  • A WSH representative participated in a City‑hosted TRAC Renter Sector Roundtable, noting that public-facing TRPP materials often reflect market housing provisions that do not apply to non‑market tenants.
  • WSH supported outreach to the City’s Renters’ Advisory Committee and participated in Advisory Committee briefings on proposed SHI revisions.
    • Link: SHI Advisory Committee Presentation – July 8, 2025 (PDF)

June 2025

  • WSH representatives attended an OPEAC meeting with BC Seniors Advocate Dan Levitt.
  • OPEAC passed a motion to meet further with the Advocate to discuss:
    • Impacts of the Broadway Plan
    • Municipal TRPPs
    • Relevance for other BC communities

Housing Advocacy for Seniors: 2023–2024 Foundations

December 2024

  • WSH partner representatives and Council members followed up on the August meeting with Vancouver–South Granville MLA Brenda Bailey to develop a Letter of Support for expanding the Seniors Housing Information and Navigation Ease (SHINE) program.
  • The Letter to Minister Bailey recommended 2025 and ongoing funding from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to ensure more seniors experiencing housing precarity receive timely navigation support, helping protect health and wellbeing while affordable housing is developed.

November 2024

  • Two WSH Council members serving on the City’s Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee (OPEAC) Housing Subcommittee attended the BC Non‑Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) Housing Central Conference, with support from SPARC BC and BCNPHA.
  • The conference highlighted successful approaches to affordable housing developed by non‑profit providers, municipalities, and partners.
  • Ongoing learning was supported through the BCNPHA e‑newsletter and website, which provide case studies and policy insights to inform WSH housing efforts.

October 2024

  • WSH Council invited partner organizations to provide feedback on the City of Vancouver’s Social Housing Initiative (SHI).
  • WSH representatives attended SHI Open House consultations to engage directly with City planners.

September 2024

  • Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) Population Health facilitated contact with the City of Vancouver’s Assistant Director of Housing Policy and Regulation (Planning, Urban Design & Sustainability) to discuss implementation of the Tenant Relocation & Protection Policy (TRPP) related to the Broadway Plan and Housing Vancouver targets.
  • WSH representatives attended a United Way BC webinar on making rental housing affordable for seniors and people with low incomes, drawing on research summarized in two fact sheets:
    • Key Messages
    • Defining the Problem and Finding Solutions

August 2024

  • WSH Council representatives met with MLA Brenda Bailey to discuss issues outlined in the WSH Briefing Note on Seniors Housing and potential actions.
  • Meetings were also held with Vancouver Coastal Health leadership (Medical Health Officer – Housing; Executive Director, Population Health; Lead for Seniors’ Healthy Public Policy) to discuss seniors’ housing roles and priorities.
  • WSH prepared a Briefing Note on Seniors Housing, documenting risks facing senior tenants amid rapid market change and identifying needed actions and supports.
  • Council representatives met with BC Housing’s Associate VP, Supportive Housing & Homelessness to discuss potential short‑term shelter options at Chalmers Lodge and other BCH‑operated housing, advocating for seniors to remain in their westside neighbourhoods.

July 2024

  • WSH Council representatives contributed to OPEAC Housing Subcommittee draft motions to City Council, addressing:
    • The need for senior‑specific shelters
    • Greater transparency in the implementation of the Broadway Plan’s Enhanced Tenant Relocation & Protection Policy
  • WSH encouraged partner organizations to advocate with City Councillors for adoption of the Seniors Housing Strategy.

June 2024

  • Council members began attending monthly OPEAC Housing Subcommittee meetings as guests, building relationships and contributing to action planning.
  • Representatives from a dozen WSH partner organizations met at a quarterly partners’ meeting focused on Five Seniors’ Housing Issues for Action.
  • A Council member attended the 411 Housing Forum to connect with other housing advocates.

May 2024

  • Council members explored the SHINE program with WESN’s Housing Navigator.
  • A volunteer was recruited to complete SHINE’s four online training sessions, strengthening local housing navigation capacity.

April 2024

  • The City of Vancouver released its Draft Seniors’ Housing Strategy for public feedback.
  • WSH partners and the public were encouraged to submit comments by May 16, 2024.

March 2024

  • WSH prepared a resource list for partners:
    • Housing Resources Referenced at the Quarterly Housing Meeting
    • Seniors Housing Issues for Action: Follow‑up to 2024 Q1 Partners’ Meeting

February 21, 2024

  • Representatives from a dozen WSH partner organizations met at a Quarterly Partners’ Meeting focused on seniors’ housing affordability.
  • Guest participants included representatives from the City of Vancouver, OPEAC, United Way BC Healthy Aging, SFU Housing Solutions Lab, Hey Neighbour Collective, Premier’s Legislative Office, and community organizations.
  • Presentations included:
    • United Way BC Healthy Aging (Dr. Laura Kadowaki & Dr. Beverley Pitman)
    • OPEAC (Dr. Marc White)
    • SFU Housing Solutions Lab: Housing design concepts for older adults (Michelle Hoar)

February 2024

  • WSH Council prepared briefing materials for partners, including:
    • Selected housing navigation supports and trainings
    • Key recommendations from Aging in Uncertainty: The Growing Housing Crisis for BC Seniors (UWBC, Nov 2023)
    • Selected findings from IRPP’s Affordability Action Council report (Feb 2024)
    • City of Vancouver’s Seniors’ Housing Strategy: What We Heard report (July 2023)

January 2024

  • A WSH Council questionnaire produced A Snapshot: What Partner Organizations Are Seeing, Hearing, and Doing.
  • Partners identified lack of appropriate seniors’ housing as a top concern, particularly in areas affected by Broadway Plan development.
  • WSH developed a Briefing Note on Seniors Housing and shared it with:
    • BC Housing
    • Vancouver Coastal Health
    • City of Vancouver staff
    • A westside MLA candidate
  • Meetings were arranged to discuss findings and next steps.

Fall 2023

  • A survey of WSH partner organizations identified top priority issues:
    • Housing
    • Food security
    • Dementia supports
    • Caregiver support
    • Emergency preparedness