Metro Vancouver is committed to preserving and enhancing the supply of affordable housing and increasing the diversity of housing choices in the region. The Metro Vancouver Regional Affordable Housing Strategy 2007 sets out specific goals and actions to increase the supply of the continuum of affordable housing in the region. The Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) 2011 sees affordable housing as an essential component of complete communities and goal 4 of the RGS sets out expectations for Regional Context Statements to include policies to meet estimated housing demand and for municipal Housing Action Plans.

The estimated demand for rental housing in the region is about 6,500 units per year to meet the needs of our growing population, of which 4,300 are from moderate-income households earning above 50% of median income, and 2,200 are from low-income households earning below 50% of the median income. Achieving the estimated demand for affordable housing, particularly rental housing that is affordable to low and moderate-income households, requires partnerships and support from all levels of government, including a significant investment from federal and provincial governments, the private sector, and the non-profit sector.