Below-Market? Not Even Close — Vancouver's Housing Plan Excludes the Most Vulnerable
By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita
This week, the City of Vancouver proudly announced the approval of 608 new rental homes, including 121 so-called “below-market” units. Sounds like good news, right?
Not if you're on welfare, disability, or low income. Let’s look at the numbers:
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Vancouver (CMHC 2025): $1,837/month
- "Below-market" rate (10% less): $1,653/month
- Welfare shelter allowance: $375/month
- Disability shelter allowance: $500/month
Even with a roommate or temporary top-up, these “affordable” homes are completely out of reach for those who need them most.
So who are they really building for?
They pat themselves on the back for meeting “affordability” targets — but those targets are set with middle-income earners in mind. There is no real inclusion for seniors, disabled people, single parents, or anyone on social assistance.
This isn’t a mistake. It’s a deliberate design to exclude the poor, while using the word “affordable” to appease public concern.
This isn’t affordability. It’s exclusion disguised as progress.
And we’re tired of it.
We demand housing that reflects the real needs of the people. Real inclusion. Real justice. Not more empty promises and fancy press releases.
Housing is a human right — not a privilege for the few.
Sources:
- City of Vancouver Housing Announcement (May 2025):
https://bit.ly/3ZsMVDP - CMHC Rental Market Report – Vancouver, 2025 (used for below-market rent estimates):
https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/housing-data/data-tables/rental-market - City of Vancouver Rental Incentive Programs Bulletin (2025):
https://guidelines.vancouver.ca/bulletins/bulletin-rental-incentive-programs.pdf
Tags:
#VancouverHousing #SocialJustice #DisabilityRights #WelfareRates #BelowMarketMyth #AffordableForWho #TinaWinterlik #Zipolita #HousingIsAHumanRight
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