Coquitlam council is urging Metro Vancouver to densify its housing properties and said the city is open to partnering with the regional government to add more affordable units.
In a letter to Metro Vancouver’s housing committee, the city said it is working with developers and non-profits to secure provincial housing funding to increase the affordable housing stock in the city.
“In that regard, we would invite the Metro Vancouver Housing Corp. to consider any sites in Coquitlam that may be suitable for consideration of redevelopment to take advantage of the province’s Community Housing Fund,” said the letter, signed by Mayor Richard Stewart.
Council voted to send the letter during last week’s committee meeting.
Metro Vancouver has eight housing properties in the Tri-Cities, including five in Coquitlam. Two of the Coquitlam properties — Ozada Village and Malaspina Village — are in the City Centre neighbourhood, where higher-density developments are permitted.
Metro Vancouver said it is in the process of identifying which of its 49 housing sites are best suited for redevelopment.
In a statement to The Tri-City News, the regional government said it will consider “factors such as impact on existing tenants and proximity to transit” when it makes its decision.
An affordable housing plan is currently in development and is expected to be completed this fall.
