Abundant Housing Vancouver

DYK-Wednesday: Property Taxes No one @CityofVancouver is aware, but if a homeowner's property assessment goes up because of redevelopment potential from a rezoning, they can apply to have their assessment frozen based on existing use! https://info.bcassessment.ca/Services-products/property-classes-and-exemptions/section-19-8-of-assessment-act-special-assessments-for-certain-long-term-residents

@pwaldkirch.bsky.social spoke to Mike Smyth about the BC/Federal plan to buy unsold condos for affordable home-ownership. Starts at about 19:10. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zeaNsAhccAGHfiizxY8gK?si=L1M4BwXbSYWIBBM9VTmlww

By comparison, if we discount multiple Villages Plan opposition letters from the same person/household, there were probably less than 1,000 affected lot-owners in opposition to the plan, meaning another 12,000, the large majority, support it or did not care.

2 Cities, 2 Chip Plants, only 1 Affordability Crisis Why do new jobs cause a housing crisis in Syracuse but not Austin? https://www.npr.org/2026/07/21/nx-s1-5900993/two-cities-two-chip-plants-one-affordability-crisis

Opponents claimed that their taxes will go up. This is not true for two reasons:

• BC Assessment allows homeowners to block property assessment increases due to upzonings.
• The new options are not attractive enough to increase sale values anyway. https://info.bcassessment.ca/Services-products/property-classes-and-exemptions/section-19-8-of-assessment-act-special-assessments-for-certain-long-term-residents

While City Hall figures out a better offer for those homeowners, the rest of the plan offers the type of "missing middle" housing most say we want, including better options for 3+ bedroom apartments on single lots or small assemblies. https://www.sightline.org/2026/07/10/in-pictures-the-possibilities-of-vancouvers-new-villages-plan/

"No such thing as a high-permitting, high-cost city" https://morehousing.substack.com/p/yimbyland

A great letter in support of the proposed West-side Villages. "it’s no wonder that ... data show Dunbar & Arbutus Ridge, where the westside villages will be located, as the MOST expensive area in all of metro Vancouver for multi-bedroom rentals." https://www.abundanthousingvancouver.com/202607_villages_plan

Much like the previous multiplex rezoning, City planners deliberately prioritized preventing land value increases over actually delivering housing. House prices have not spiked since multiplexes were allowed.

Much like the previous multiplex rezoning, City planners deliberately prioritized preventing land value increases over actually delivering housing. House prices have not spiked since multiplexes were allowed.

Some councillors suggested doing only one or two villages as a pilot. This would not be representative, as it would concentrate development in one area & they all have different characteristics. More important: Housing is needed now! Council should approve the whole plan.

Villages Plan public hearing, round one: "We banned apartments in the 70s" "When housing is scarce, prices rise to keep people out" "the public hearing process tends to amplify the voices of people who are most fearful and opposed to new housing" https://morehousing.substack.com/p/villages-round-one

You can easily show your support! it just takes a couple of minutes to register to speak or send in your written correspondence. Find out more at this link. https://www.abundanthousingvancouver.com/202607_villages_plan

You can still write in with your support (takes just a couple of minutes), or register to speak. The hearing resumes Monday! Learn how: https://www.abundanthousingvancouver.com/202607_villages_plan 2/2

Some councillors suggested doing only one or two villages as a pilot. This would not be representative, as it would concentrate development in one area & they all have different characteristics. More important: Housing is needed now! Council should approve the whole plan.

"We've clamped down & now the retail is struggling, some of the schools are struggling... almost anything is more affordable than the status quo." https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-91-the-early-edition/clip/16226436-design-firm-owner-says-vancouvers-villages-plan-housing

Opponents claimed that their taxes will go up. This is not true for two reasons:

• BC Assessment allows homeowners to block property assessment increases due to upzonings.
• The new options are not attractive enough to increase sale values anyway. https://info.bcassessment.ca/Services-products/property-classes-and-exemptions/section-19-8-of-assessment-act-special-assessments-for-certain-long-term-residents

Despite being only one building, the public hearing took 3 days. 131 letters were sent in opposition to it, and 810 signatures were collected to oppose it. For one small apartment building!

Despite being only one building, the public hearing took 3 days. 131 letters were sent in opposition to it, and 810 signatures were collected to oppose it. For one small apartment building!

A lot of opposition was driven by the small number of lots proposed to be rezoned from residential to C-2 Commercial, which would prevent building multiplexes, etc. on those lots. Council can simply not rezone these for now, redevelopment is likely not viable soon anyway.

Thursday: Come hang out after work at Rogue Waterfront! We will likely be chatting about what's coming up at City Hall, bright, small-lot apartment buildings, the upcoming election & more. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/abundant-housing-vancouver-happy-hour-tickets-1993479387511

Many speakers stated that the City's tree protection rules are meaningless. Most people who have dealt with tree protection would strongly disagree! The alternative to building more housing in Vancouver has been to clear cut places like Burke Mtn. and drive more!

Furthermore, it is well-document & obvious that public hearings are unrepresentative and heavily skewed toward older, wealthier residents. Real polling shows broad support for apartments 6-storeys and taller. Vancouverites say they prefer Villages-style distributed growth.

While City Hall figures out a better offer for those homeowners, the rest of the plan offers the type of "missing middle" housing most say we want, including better options for 3+ bedroom apartments on single lots or small assemblies. https://www.sightline.org/2026/07/10/in-pictures-the-possibilities-of-vancouvers-new-villages-plan/

Metro Vancouver's Housing Data Dashboard: Despite being the core of the metro, City of Vancouver had a lower share of multi-family starts (as a % of total starts) than most major suburbs. Surrey, Burnaby, Langley, & Tri-Cities were all higher. https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-planning/housing-data-dashboard/housing-stock-profile/housing-starts

Peter Waldkirch was on CBC's BC Today to talk the Villages Plan! https://youtu.be/xQe3s6bx41s?t=491 1/2

Furthermore, it is well-document & obvious that public hearings are unrepresentative and heavily skewed toward older, wealthier residents. Real polling shows broad support for apartments 6-storeys and taller. Vancouverites say they prefer Villages-style distributed growth.

Did you register to speak for the Villages Plan? Council passed speaker #241, and have decided to continue into the evening. If you missed your spot, there is an opportunity to speak at the end.

"How Canada’s Richest Residents Block Affordable Housing" https://thewalrus.ca/rich-block-affordable-housing/

By comparison, if we discount multiple Villages Plan opposition letters from the same person/household, there were probably less than 1,000 affected lot-owners in opposition to the plan, meaning another 12,000, the large majority, support it or did not care.

Growth Pays for Non-Growth (& Growth too) https://morehousing.substack.com/p/growth-pays-for-non-growth

A lot of opposition was driven by the small number of lots proposed to be rezoned from residential to C-2 Commercial, which would prevent building multiplexes, etc. on those lots. Council can simply not rezone these for now, redevelopment is likely not viable soon anyway.

"Combined with the opportunity of the Villages Plan, the Four/Five is an invitation to Vancouverites to think big about the future of their city... what it means to build a sustainable, affordable, and accessible community." https://www.sightline.org/2026/07/10/in-pictures-the-possibilities-of-vancouvers-new-villages-plan/

Many speakers stated that the City's tree protection rules are meaningless. Most people who have dealt with tree protection would strongly disagree! The alternative to building more housing in Vancouver has been to clear cut places like Burke Mtn. and drive more!