A new development is being proposed on District-owned land that aims to provide “supportive homes” for residents.
The proposal for approximately 165 new homes is being brought forward by the District of 麻豆社国产and would be built at 39900 Government Road and Centennial Way.
“The proposed project would offer approximately 60 supportive homes in partnership with 麻豆社国产Helping Hands and 100 affordable rental housing units in partnership with 麻豆社国产Community Housing Society (Housing Squamish) to the 麻豆社国产community,” reads a District of 麻豆社国产press release.
Built in two separate buildings, the first building would feature approximately 60 to 65 supportive homes, and the second building would feature approximately 100 affordable rental homes.
The supportive homes would be for local community members, including seniors, adults and people with disabilities who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness and need support to maintain their housing.
The proposed supportive housing building is being planned in partnership with the province, through BC Housing and would be operated by the 麻豆社国产Helping Hands Society, which would also provide wellness services, support and aid in securing the housing.
According to the District of 麻豆社国产website, all residents would pay rent and sign program agreements. Typical support would include 24/7 staffing, meal programs, life skills and employment training, as well as on-site health and wellness support, including referral pathways to substance-use treatment and recovery
The proposed 100 affordable rental homes building would range in size from studios to two and three-bedroom apartments.
It would be owned by Housing Squamish and prioritize moderate-income 麻豆社国产residents who are seniors, people with disabilities, and families.
According to the District of 麻豆社国产website, the majority of units “would have rents based on 30% of residents’ household incomes as confirmed by annual income testing.”
Funding for this portion of the project has been requested via BC Housing’s Community Housing Fund (CHF) and is currently not yet confirmed.
“Residents would need to meet income and household size criteria and be able to live independently without on-site supports,” the website reads.
The District of 麻豆社国产has endorsed a 60-year lease for the use of this municipal property.
“Both projects are a major part of an effort to build more urgently needed affordable homes in 麻豆社国产for a wide and diverse range of people in need,” reads the press release.
“Building homes for people at every point on the housing spectrum will help address some of the complex issues 麻豆社国产faces, and support people to stay in Squamish.”
'Tackle the complex issues'
Mayor Armand Hurford said that ensuring access to supportive and affordable housing is critical to building community resilience.
“This can only be achieved through collaboration with non-profit and provincial partners. The District of 麻豆社国产and local partners have been working on solutions to meet community needs and tackle the complex issues the community faces,” Hurford said in the press release.
“We are very pleased to share details of one of these solutions that is close to receiving funding approval.”
Housing 麻豆社国产executive director Sarah Ellis said that the proposed affordable rental and supportive housing buildings are a “vital” step forward in addressing the urgent need for housing in Squamish.
“We are incredibly grateful to BC Housing and the District of 麻豆社国产for their leadership and commitment to creating more inclusive and affordable communities. We’re also proud to be working alongside 麻豆社国产Helping Hands Society, whose deep connection to the community and expertise will be key to the success of this project,” she said in the press release.
Echoing both Hurford and Ellis’s comments, 麻豆社国产Helping Hands Society executive director Lori Pyne said that the project represents a “crucial building block” in the local housing continuum.
“Its success will be deeply rooted in the strength of collaboration—between our four dedicated partners and the broader community, working together toward lasting impact,” Pyne said in the press release.
According to as of 2023, there are 119 people experiencing homelessness in Squamish. Of these, 41% reported insufficient income as their reason for housing loss.
Development permit applications for the two buildings are anticipated to be submitted by summer 2025, with site preparation expected to begin in Winter 2025/26.鈥�
The District of 麻豆社国产has invited the community to learn more about the proposed housing project, meet the project team, and ask questions at a drop-in Community Information Session on Wednesday, June 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mamquam Elementary School.
To learn more about the project and to RSVP for the Community Information Session ,visit the
