It’s no secret. Finding a place to live in Squamish has become increasingly difficult. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer, housing challenges affect us all.
Housing Squamish is working hard to be part of the solution. As a non-profit housing provider established by the District of Squamish in 2021, our mission is simple: To catalyze housing solutions across the spectrum of housing needs in Squamish.
The upcoming federal election on April 28 puts housing front and centre, and it couldn’t come at a more critical time:
- Squamish’s rental vacancy rate is under 0.8%, according to a 2024 CMHC Rental Market Report. (A healthy rental market typically sits between 3 – 5%.)
- Between 2018 and 2022, average prices for two-bedroom rentals and home sales jumped 45%.
- The District of Squamish’s 2023 housing needs assessment revealed we need 6,840 new homes by 2031, nearly two-thirds of them need to be below-market to meet demand.
We asked each candidate in the West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea to Sky Country riding some housing related questions. Each candidate received the same questions. Here’s what we asked:
- Rents in Squamish have grown over 50% in the last 5 years and our rental vacancy rates are among the lowest in BC. What would your and your party do to address rental affordability and availability in Squamish?
- How would you and your party support non-profits housing providers – like Housing Squamish – with delivering the below-market housing we need in our community?
- Housing insecurity and homelessness are increasing in Squamish and the Sea to Sky. What actions would you and your party take to support people in our community experiencing these specific challenges?
- Support for on- and off-reserve housing for Indigenous people is a key part of Reconciliation. What would you and your party do to address housing need among Indigenous people?
We hope this helps you cut through the noise and feel more confident heading to the polls on election day. When it comes to housing in Squamish, every vote counts.
Keith Roy, Conservative Party of Canada
1. Rents in Squamish have grown over 50% in the last 5 years and our rental vacancy rates are among the lowest in BC. What would your and your party do to address rental affordability and availability in Squamish?
We need to get more housing built so that we can make housing affordable again. The Conservatives have a plan to do so. It starts with taking the GST off of new homes. We will also free up land to build and get the government out of the way.
2. How would you and your party support non-profits housing providers – like Housing Squamish – with delivering the below-market housing we need in our community?
We would support non-profits by getting government out of the way to make it easier to build and by addressing the high cost of building.
3. Housing insecurity and homelessness are increasing in Squamish and the Sea to Sky. What actions would you and your party take to support people in our community experiencing these specific challenges?
We need to get more housing built in order to bring an affordable place to live within people’s reach. We also need to ensure those who are homeless due to addiction get the treatment they need and stop the drugs that are flooding our streets. Conservatives have a plan to get this done.
4. Support for on- and off-reserve housing for Indigenous people is a key part of Reconciliation. What would you and your party do to address housing need among Indigenous people?
Reconciliation is essential. As part of this, we need to improve the lives of Indigenous people on and off reserves. Our plan to get more housing built and to make it more affordable will help. We will also bring jobs and prosperity to Indigenous communities through the creation of an Canadian Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (CIOC), led by Indigenous people.
Find out more about Keith Roy and the Conservative Party of Canada position on housing. You can reach Keith on Instagram or by emailing elect@keithroy.ca.
Patrick Weiler, Liberal Party of Canada
1. Rents in Squamish have grown over 50% in the last 5 years and our rental vacancy rates are among the lowest in BC. What would your and your party do to address rental affordability and availability in Squamish?
I understand how acute the housing crisis is in Squamish, and making sure we build our way out of it is one of my top priorities. Since 2019, we’ve invested over $120 million in federal housing funding for Squamish, delivering over 416 supportive and below-market homes, including the Westwinds complex for seniors and a new 44-unit project at Finch Drive with 34 units that will rent at least 30% below market rates. These projects were made possible in part through the Apartment Construction Loan Program, which provides low-interest financing for new rental construction. One local parent told me the housing made possible by this program was life-changing for his daughter.
We’ve also eliminated the GST on new rental construction and launched a $1.5 billion Rental Protection Fund to preserve existing affordable rental units, which has already helped protect low-rent homes in Squamish. We have an ambitious plan to double housing starts to 500,000 homes per year and work with municipalities like Squamish to cut development charges in half for multi-unit projects, helping lower costs and get more rental homes built faster. And to help low-income renters directly, we’re expanding programs like the Canada Housing Benefit and BC’s SAFER program. We won’t solve this crisis overnight, but we are going to work with urgency and at a pace to build homes that we haven’t seen in generations.
2. How would you and your party support non-profits housing providers – like Housing Squamish – with delivering the below-market housing we need in our community?
Non-profit housing providers like Housing Squamish are key to building homes that stay affordable over the long term. That’s why we’re strengthening and expanding programs like the Rapid Housing Initiative, the Affordable Housing Fund, and the Apartment Construction Loan Program to make funding more accessible and flexible for community-led projects. We’re also establishing a new federal housing entity called Build Canada Homes to help non-profits and local governments acquire land and navigate regulatory processes more easily.
Through CMHC, we offer seed funding to help new non-profit providers get started, and this support helped launch groups like the Squamish Community Housing Society, BIRCH on Bowen, and the Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Society. The Housing Accelerator Fund is also helping fast-track local efforts, such as $7 million in direct federal funding to the District of Squamish, that among other things is helping Housing Squamish with pre-development funding for new affordable housing projects in Squamish. Community-driven partners are one of the most effective ways we can deliver lasting, affordable homes in Squamish and across Canada, and I’ll continue to advocate for them.
3. Housing insecurity and homelessness are increasing in Squamish and the Sea to Sky. What actions would you and your party take to support people in our community experiencing these specific challenges?
I believe that everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. That’s why we are expanding investments in wraparound services and supportive housing through the Rapid Housing Initiative, the Reaching Home strategy, and new encampment response measures announced in our most recent budget. These programs will help people transition out of homelessness with dignity and support, including investments here in Squamish through partnerships with Indigenous communities and local organizations.
For example, we supported new beds and services at Pearl’s Place Transition House to help survivors of intimate partner violence access safety and stability, and a 27-unit development for vulnerable Sḵwxwú7mesh people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We’re also increasing investments in mental health, addictions treatment, and income supports because we believe tackling homelessness means addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms. If I’m re-elected, I’ll continue to advocate for federal support for the Sea to Sky’s frontline organizations doing this critical work so we can build this community up for everyone.
4. Support for on- and off-reserve housing for Indigenous people is a key part of Reconciliation. What would you and your party do to address housing need among Indigenous people?
Reconciliation is a complex and long process that we must continue to work together in true partnership. An important part of this is ensuring safe, culturally appropriate, and Indigenous-led housing solutions on- or off-reserve. Our government has significantly increased funding for Indigenous housing and is committed to co-developing solutions to housing with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis that reflect their unique priorities. This includes distinctions-based housing funds, investments in repairs and retrofits, and Indigenous-led housing initiatives such as longhouse-style supportive housing.
Locally, this has funded the construction or repair of 363 units since 2019, while we have supported major housing developments like the Sen̓áḵw project, the largest single investment in housing that Canada has ever made, as well as community-driven builds such as the Seaichem Hiy̓ám̓ Housing Project to deliver affordable and supportive units for Squamish Nation members. As I run for re-election, I remain committed to working closely with the nations throughout our riding to secure funding for projects that will help close the housing gap.
Find out more about Patrick here. He can be reached on Instagram, Facebook, or by emailing Patrick.Weiler@parl.gc.ca.
Jäger Rosenberg, New Democratic Party
1. Rents in Squamish have grown over 50% in the last 5 years and our rental vacancy rates are among the lowest in BC. What would you and your party do to address rental affordability and availability in Squamish?
I’ve heard loud and clear how housing in Squamish has become unaffordable for far too many. The NDP will build 500,000 affordable homes—including rentals—by prioritizing public and unused land, especially in high-demand communities like ours. We’ll ban corporate landlords from scooping up homes, crack down on unfair rent hikes and renovictions, and introduce national rent control standards to keep people from being priced out of their communities. We’ll also help first-time buyers get into the market, easing pressure on rentals for everyone.
2. How would you and your party support non-profit housing providers – like Housing Squamish – with delivering the below-market housing we need in our community?
Housing Squamish is doing critical work—and we want to help you do even more. An NDP government will permanently fund the non-profit and co-op housing sector and create a federal acquisition fund so local orgs like yours can buy and preserve affordable housing before it’s lost to speculators. We’ll streamline federal support for shovel-ready, community-led housing projects and ensure public land goes to non-profit housing—not luxury condos. Your work is essential, and we want to be real partners in it.
3. Housing insecurity and homelessness are increasing in Squamish and the Sea to Sky. What actions would you and your party take to support people in our community experiencing these specific challenges?
No one in Squamish or the Sea to Sky should be left behind. The NDP will take a housing-first approach: building supportive housing and backing it with wraparound services like mental health support, harm reduction, and income assistance. We’ll also strengthen EI to reduce housing insecurity when people lose work, especially in tourism and seasonal industries common in our region. Housing is a human right—and we’ll treat it that way.
4. Support for on- and off-reserve housing for Indigenous people is a key part of Reconciliation. What would you and your party do to address housing need among Indigenous people?
True reconciliation means listening to Indigenous communities and supporting their self-determined solutions. We’ll fully fund the Indigenous-led Urban, Rural, and Northern Housing Strategy and invest directly in building and repairing on-reserve housing. Indigenous-led organizations will make the decisions—we’ll provide the funding and respect. In a region like ours, with many diverse Indigenous Nations and communities, this work is not optional—it’s overdue.
Learn more about Jäger here. He can be reached on Instagram, Facebook, or by emailing jager.rosenberg@ndp.ca.
Lauren Greenlaw, Green Party
1. Rents in Squamish have grown over 50% in the last 5 years and our rental vacancy rates are among the lowest in BC. What would your and your party do to address rental affordability and availability in Squamish?
The Green Party strongly believes not only that the government should be building housing – to take the market out of the hands of Investors- but that that housing should be truly affordable. When public money builds housing that should be accessible to the public, we want to introduce rules making it so an individual or family can pay for public built affordable housing on 30% of their income. We also want to introduce covenants so that housing built with public money stays affordable forever.
In Vancouver Investors own 30% of all the Condos and this is driving up the costs of renting for the entire region- the Green Party wants to stop corporations buying up single family homes, eliminate tax advantages for Real Estate Investment Trusts, and close loopholes allowing criminals to use Real Estate to hide dirty money. All of which will make the housing market more accessible for regular people.
2. How would you and your party support non-profits housing providers – like Housing Squamish – with delivering the below-market housing we need in our community?
We need more investment in affordable housing of different modalities in Squamish- rental housing and ownership models. As a municipal councillor I have seen how hard it is for communities to supply that without Federal support and Federal Investment, as your MP I would fight to bring the investment for purchasing affordable rental units to Squamish and the Sea to Sky. And I believe in Community, I believe in working with organisations that want to help and connecting them with people that need help.
3. Housing insecurity and homelessness are increasing in Squamish and the Sea to Sky. What actions would you and your party take to support people in our community experiencing these challenges?
Housing insecurity and homelessness are a huge problem in our community- breaking up families, friendship groups and the community as people are driven out due to affordability. This takes a huge toll on people’s mental and physical health. The Green Party wants to provide increased Mental health support to tackle these stressors before they spiral into bigger mental health issues, and we want to expand community care across the country to make it easier for people to seek treatment for any health problems physical or mental.
I strongly believe in strengthening local communities by supporting local economies and that strong communities create a safety net for people – we already see a lot of incredible community organisations – like Pearl Space an Under One Roofq in Squamish leading the way.
Furthermore the Green Party wants to introduce a living wage to help to lift people out of poverty, and to increase the tax free income threshold to 40,000$/ year keeping more money in your pocket. One of the most important pieces will be the all important investing in more infrastructure and affordable housing for our communities.
4. Support for on- and off-reserve housing for Indigenous people is a key part of Reconciliation. What would you and your party do to address housing need among Indigenous people?
I strongly want to help Indigenous voices become part of national decision making, and bring the Indigenous voices in the Sea to Sky & Sunshine Coast to Ottawa, and that’s a big part of the Green Party platform. In terms of housing solutions I think that requires consultation with indigenous communities, first and foremost. Secondly- we should consider non-conventional, low footprint housing, like facilitating tiny house communities, where that’s appropriate and wanted by the communities.
Find out more about Laura here. She can be reached on Facebook, Instagram or by emailing lauren.greenlaw@greenparty.ca.
Peyman Askari, People’s Party of Canada
Rents in Squamish have grown over 50% in the last 5 years and our rental vacancy rates are among the lowest in BC. What would your and your party do to address rental affordability and availability in Squamish?
We must address the root causes of unaffordable housing. The PPC would set a 0% inflation target to restore trust in the dollar, place a temporary moratorium on immigration to ease demand, and regulate commercial banks to stop real estate speculation. We believe housing should be for living, not flipping.
2. How would you and your party support non-profit housing providers – like Housing Squamish – with delivering the below-market housing we need in our community?
The best support is a stable economic environment. By eliminating the deficit, lowering inflation, and cutting red tape, we’ll create conditions where local housing providers can thrive. We support shifting resources and authority from Ottawa to local organizations that actually understand the needs of their communities—like Housing Squamish.
3. Housing insecurity and homelessness are increasing in Squamish and the Sea to Sky. What actions would you and your party take to support people in our community experiencing these specific challenges?
We would address the economic root of homelessness by tackling inflation, ending drug dependency, and restoring dignity through work and recovery. That includes a national ban on addictive pharmaceutical drugs, stiffer sentencing for traffickers, and decentralized, community-based support systems rather than distant federal programs that don’t reflect local realities.
4. Support for on- and off-reserve housing for Indigenous people is a key part of Reconciliation. What would you and your party do to address housing need among Indigenous people?
The PPC would replace the Indian Act with a legal framework that guarantees equal rights and promotes self-reliance. We would explore on-reserve property rights, ensure Indigenous communities own their services, and restructure federal spending so it reaches the communities with the greatest need—instead of being lost in bureaucracy.
Find out more about Peyman here. He can be reached on Instagram, or by emailing peyman.askari@teamppc.ca.