Housing Policy Update
To continue the proud tradition of building homes on our land and meet the Nation’s strategic vision of housing every Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Member within a generation, Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Council) requested that the Housing Policy be updated.
Staff from Ta na wa Shéway I7x̱w ta Úxwumixw (Planning & Capital Projects), Ts’ixwts’ixwnítway (Member Services), Nexwsp’áyaḵen ta Úxuwmixw (Community Operations), Ta na wa Ch’áwat ta Sx̱wéx̱wel (Squamish Valley Operations), Community Lands, and Hiy̓ám̓ Housing are working together on this important project.
The Project Team can be reached at housingpolicy@squamish.net or 604-904-7474.
Huy chexw a (thank you) to those Members who expressed interest in joining the Housing Policy Community Working Group. The following were selected to represent different demographics including on- and off-reserve, Squamish Valley and North Vancouver, those with a house and without, as well as various age groups. The group held their first meeting on October 12, 2022 and will meet biweekly until February 2023 with the intention of shifting to monthly meetings after that.
Amy Baker | Off-reserve | North Vancouver | Adult |
Glen Campo | Off-reserve | Langley | Elder |
Becky Findlay | On-reserve | North Vancouver | Adult |
Andrea Jacobs | On-reserve | North Vancouver | Elder |
Uxwáluút, Jessica Natrall | On-reserve | North Vancouver | Adult |
Lats-mat, Mary Jane Natrall | On-reserve | Squamish Valley | Elder |
Jenna Vocal | Off-reserve | North Vancouver | Adult |
Yususult, Rosemarie Williams | On-reserve | Squamish Valley | Adult |
Project Progress
What we did
A number of engagement activities and opportunities for Members to provide feedback took place throughout 2022.
- In January, a Housing History Timeline brochure was mailed to all households.
- Two online community meetings were held in February. A Housing Q&A booklet was prepared based on the questions raised during those meetings. It was sent to all households.
- The Project Team attended the Department Open Houses in May 2022 to gather input on various housing questions.
- A Housing Policy survey was conducted in June and received over 130 responses.
- In July, key Members who have expertise in different areas related to the Housing Policy were interviewed.
- During the Amalgamation Day celebration, Members were invited to complete an interactive Housing Policy questionnaire.
As Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw honors the teachings of the past and shows respect to the ancestors by upholding their words, feedback from previous engagements was also considered:
- The Housing Advisory Committee Letter of Recommendations received in September 2020.
- The Renovations Policy survey conducted in 2020.
- The 2003 Housing Policy Q&A session.
What we heard
The feedback has been woven into the Housing Policy Community Engagement Report 2022. It quickly became clear that a single Housing Policy could no longer incorporate all the updates required. Therefore, it was decided to create 13 individual policies divided by topic and guided by one overarching Housing Policy Framework.
A Member Resolution regarding housing policies was passed at the November 26 People’s Assembly. It raised many of the same concerns heard during the Project Team’s engagement activities and we look forward to presenting a report on this work at the next People’s Assembly in March 2023.
This is a significant amount of work and will need to take place in phases. Phase One will focus on developing/revising the Housing Policy Framework, the Home Construction Policy, the Maintenance and Renovations Policy, and the Rentals Policy. More information can be found in the slides below.
What we’re doing next
The following will be developed/revised with the goal of bringing them to Nexwsxwníw̓ntm ta Úxwumixw (Council) for approval in March 2023.
- Housing Policy Framework
- Home Construction Policy
- Maintenance and Renovations Policy
The remaining policies will be developed at a later date. We will keep Members up to date on their progress.
- Allocations Policy
- Alterations and Additions Policy
- Alternative Housing Policy
- Buy and Sell Policy
- Hiy̓ám Home Loan Policy
- Laneways and Ensuites Policy
- Lot Transfer Policy
- Rentals Policy
- Replacement and Revocation Policy
- Residential Uses Policy
- Self-Financed Housing Program Policy
