DNV plans to give vacant district-owned homes to non-profit housing providers

District of North Vancouver council will vote this Monday on a new policy to give vacant district-owned homes to non-profit housing providers.

The district rents these homes at full market rentals. The new policy will enable the non-profits to provide rentals at a lower, below-market rate.

Council directed staff in April to create the policy. DNV purchases residential single family properties for a number of municipal priorities, including expansion of green spaces, roadways and municipal buildings.

Until those uses are realised, the single family homes are rented at current market rates.

The council wants to change that.

Under the new proposed policy, if a property becomes vacant and remains so for a period of 2- 5 years, staff would approach the non-profit housing providers operating in the District and request them to take over the home. Staff will review the applications to ensure that the use and clients are appropriate for the type of house and the neighbourhood.

While the non-profits will charge nominal rate, they would be responsible for all capital, maintenance and operating costs.

“There is significant demand by non-profit housing providers for residential properties to meet the needs of various client types,” according to a staff report.

“Providing a Licence Agreement to a non-profit housing provider for a District owned single-family house on a short term basis provides extra resources to address the social needs in our community.”

When a house becomes available, staff will approach non-profits to operate the house for short-term below-market rentals. If no non-profit housing providers are identified, the house will be advertised for rent on the open market.