--- title: How Municipalities Can Support Affordable Housing Solutions description: New Westminster is committed to developing and maintaining safe, affordable housing, which it sees as “fundamental to physical, economic and social well-being.” It is committed to supporting residents through various policies and programs image: https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Houses-563580-edited.jpg --- [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=200&height=47&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) # How Municipalities Can Support Affordable Housing Solutions Posted on November 15, 2018 [By Ruté Ojigbo](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/ruté-ojigbo) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Houses-563580-edited](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Houses-563580-edited.jpg?width=450&name=Houses-563580-edited.jpg)Housing affordability has become a critical issue across Canada, in cities such as New Westminster which is located in Metro Vancouver. New Westminster is home to 11,000 low-income individuals some of which are children and seniors. The high housing costs in the City relative to income and low vacancy rates are some of the reasons why many residents struggle to secure and maintain housing. New Westminster is committed to developing and maintaining safe, affordable housing, which it sees as “fundamental to physical, economic and social well-being.” It is committed to supporting residents through various policies and programs such as the: - [Family Friendly Housing Policy](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Family_Friendly_Housing_Policy_(July_2016).pdf) - [Homelessness Action Strategy](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/rte/Homelessness_Action_Strategy.pdf) - [Renovictions Action Plan](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Renovictions_QA(1).pdf) - [Secured Market Rental Housing Policy](https://www.newwestcity.ca/database/files/library/Secured_Market_Rental_Housing_Policy_FINAL___Revised_2017.pdf) - [Secondary Suites Program](https://www.newwestcity.ca/secondary-suites) - [Laneway and Carriage Houses](https://www.newwestcity.ca/housing/laneway-and-carriage-houses) The City has also offered innovative solutions to housing such as its Rent Bank Program. The New Westminster Rent Bank program supports city residents facing short-term financial situations. It does this by providing eligible low-income renters facing eviction or disconnection of essential utilities with low-fee, short-term loans. Its target demographic is low-income residents aged 19 or older at risk of eviction as a result of a temporary shortage of funds and provides referrals to community services and financial literacy programs. As of June 30, 2018, the City had processed 29 loans under this program. These programs and policies are some of the ways the City of New Westminster is working to prevent the incidence of homelessness in their community. A new Case Study on New Westminster highlights how the City’s award-winning initiatives and innovative solutions support residents getting housing. The Case Study provides concrete examples of how municipalities can support and provide affordable housing solutions. Take Your Learning Further: - [Read the Case Study – New Westminster's Award-winning Housing Policies and Programs by Alison Homer](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/case-study-new-westminsters-award-winning-housing-policies-and-programs?hsLang=en-us) - [Check out the Webinar on New Westminster’s Housing Policy](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/library/webinar-municipal-housing-policy-and-program-ideas-from-new-westminster?hsLang=en-us) - [Explore the City of New Westminster – Housing website](https://www.newwestcity.ca/housing) Topics: [Cities Reducing Poverty](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/cities-reducing-poverty), [Housing Strategy](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/housing-strategy), [Ruté Ojigbo](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/topic/ruté-ojigbo) ![Ruté Ojigbo](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Photos/Staff%20Photos%202026/Rut%C3%A9%20Ojigbo.jpg) ### By [Ruté Ojigbo](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/ruté-ojigbo) Ruté Ojigbo is an Associate Director of Digital Engagement, Sales, and Learning at Tamarack Institute. She leads marketing, communications, and digital strategy across learning and community initiatives, supporting the design and delivery of accessible, engaging content for diverse audiences across Canada. ## Related Posts [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/illiyeen-nelson-boat_cropped_edited.jpg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/nelson-at-its-best-drives-successful-poverty-reduction-strategy-implementation?hsLang=en-us) #### [Nelson at its Best drives successful poverty reduction strategy implementation](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/nelson-at-its-best-drives-successful-poverty-reduction-strategy-implementation?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/kelly-sikkema-kids-in-masks.jpg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/putting-knowledge-into-action-in-a-post-covid-world?hsLang=en-us) #### [Putting Knowledge into Action in a (Post)-COVID World](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/putting-knowledge-into-action-in-a-post-covid-world?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/nathan-dumlao-family.jpg)](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/rethinking-capacity-as-a-way-to-empower-those-living-with-poverty?hsLang=en-us) #### [Rethinking capacity as a way to empower those living with poverty](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/rethinking-capacity-as-a-way-to-empower-those-living-with-poverty?hsLang=en-us) [![BACK TO THE LATEST](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/316071/e6ffa9bb-4467-4833-8ecc-eb340b11d829) [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=3401&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) ### Tamarack [Home](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) [Latest](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest) [Events](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/eventlisting?hsLang=en-us) [Donate](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/donate?hsLang=en-us) [About](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/whoweare?hsLang=en-us) ### Follow Us [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/TamarackInstitute) [** ** ](https://twitter.com/Tamarack_Inst) [** ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/tamarack-institute-for-community-engagement)   In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth we honour and acknowledge that our work occurs across Turtle Island (North America), which has been home since time immemorial to the ancestors of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. ### Subscribe Be in the know. 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