Rental Tenant Relocation Assistance Project

Residents in older rental apartment buildings can be vulnerable to displacement and may have limited affordable options when their properties are considered for redevelopment. The objective of this project is to support tenants at risk of displacement due to the redevelopment of buildings with four or more purpose-built rental units. The project goal is to develop a policy and/or regulatory framework that supports tenants facing displacement due to redevelopment.

The City of Nanaimo has business licences for 108 purpose-built rental apartment buildings for an estimated 4,200 rental units. A significant number of these buildings were built between the 1960s and 1980s. As these buildings reach the end of their life cycle, the City may begin to see redevelopment of existing rental stock, supported by City Plan policies and zoning regulations that encourage higher density on many of these sites. As a result of redevelopment, displaced tenants may face increased housing costs, lower quality housing, and forced relocation and community displacement.

In April 2024, the Province passed “Bill 16 – Housing Statutes Amendment Act, 2024” which amended the Community Charter and the Local Government Act to provide municipalities with the authority to develop tenant protection bylaws that can require property owners and developers to provide support to tenants facing displacement in cases of redevelopment, beyond the Rental Tenancy Act requirements.

For more information about this project please contact Kristine Mayes, Planner: kristine.mayes@nanaimo.ca.