Housing
Our vision: Burnaby is a place where everyone can find a home, afford a home and feel at home
Burnaby is home to over 100,000 households, and our community continues to grow and evolve. Recognizing that residents experience a wide range of housing needs and circumstances, Burnaby takes a proactive role in supporting the full spectrum of the housing system.
The City of Burnaby’s role is to regulate, enable, and facilitate housing opportunities. To do this, the City uses provincially enabled planning tools, such as the Official Community Plan (OCP), Zoning Bylaw, and development approval processes, to guide land use, density, and housing form. Through these tools, the City manages growth, ensures compatibility between land uses, and creates the conditions necessary for new housing supply.
Beyond its regulatory role, Burnaby takes a forward-thinking approach to housing by aligning planning policy with evolving demographic needs and market conditions. Through actions such as the provision of City-owned land for non-market housing, expedited and streamlined development approval processes, and strong tenant protection measures, Burnaby continues to shape growth to meet current and future housing needs.
Housing data and resources
Housing Needs Report
Learn moreHousing Target Order
Learn moreHousing Design Library
Learn moreMetro Vancouver Data Dashboard
Learn moreFAQ
The city assists tenants affected from displacement from their rental homes due to redevelopment that requires rezoning through the City’s Tenant Assistance Policy. Tenant-landlord relations are within the Provincial Government’s sphere, governed by the Residential Tenancy Act. For more information on your rights, you can contact:
- The Residential Tenancy Branch
- Phone: 1-800-665-8779 (Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm)
- Email: [email protected]
- Tenant Resource and Advocacy Centre (TRAC)
- the tenant information line provides tenants across BC with free legal information or referral services.
- Tenant Information Line: 604-255-0546 or 1-800-665-1185 (Monday to Wednesday, and Friday 1pm-5pm, Thursdays 5:30pm -8:30pm
If you are unable to find housing we may be able to help. Connect with our Intervention Support Workers for support.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 604-294-7944
Rent Bank – Purpose Society: Low-income individuals and families that live in or are moving to Burnaby may be eligible for a low fee, no interest, short-term loan to help with rent and damage deposits. The BC Rent Bank also serves other locations in BC.
- Address: 1 - 4075 Kingsway, Burnaby
- Phone: 778-727-1142
- Email: [email protected]
The following outlines a list of resources to support your housing search.
- Senior Resource Guide - City of Burnaby: The housing and accommodation section (pages 61 – 68) outlines housing supports, and housing providers geared towards seniors living within the community.
- SAFER - BC Housing: SAFER is a non-taxable rent subsidy program for people who are 60 years or older and are currently paying more than 30% of their income toward rent. To be eligible, seniors 60 years or older must be rented, be entitled to receive Old Age Security, and have lived in BC for one year prior to applying. The applicant or spouse must have resided in Canada for one year and be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
- BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations - BC Housing: The BC Rebate for Accessible Home Adaptations (BC RAHA) is a rebate program where eligible low- and moderate-income households can receive up to $20,000 in rebates to complete home adaptations. The program allows seniors and people with permanent disabilities or diminished ability to gain greater independence within their homes.
- Senior Housing Directory - Senior Service Society: The Senior Housing Finder provides information on seniors housing available within British Columbia.
- The Society of End Homelessness in Burnaby: The Society works to support individuals experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in Burnaby.
Metro Vancouver: Metro Vancouver Housing provides affordable rental housing for low to moderate-income households.
BC Housing’s Rental Assistance Program (RAP): provides eligible low-income working families with monthly assistance to help with their monthly rent payments. BC Housing’s Subsidized housing is long-term housing for people who permanently reside in British Columbia. Rental fees are calculated on a rent geared to income basis (30% of household total gross income, subject to minimum rent based on # of people). You may be eligible for subsidized housing if you can live independently and meet the household, residency, income and assets criteria. Learn more about subsidized housing and how to apply for the BC Housing waitlist.
Purpose Society: a non-profit organization that provides housing support programs for low-income households.