The City of Coquitlam seeks to strengthen tenant relocation policies amid increasing redevelopment.
Building on its existing Tenant Relocation Policy, the City of Coquitlam is taking additional steps to protect tenants impacted by redevelopment.
At Monday’s Council meeting, City staff received approval to draft a Tenant Protection Bylaw for consideration in spring 2025. The proposed bylaw, based on the current policy, aims to enhance the City’s capacity for enforcement and compliance.
The policy, last updated in 2021, supports tenants in rental buildings slated for redevelopment by guaranteeing early notice and information, compensation, support for moving costs, and assistance in finding alternative housing.
The proposed bylaw is made possible by Bill 16, which was introduced by the Province among other housing legislation in late 2023 and early 2024. This bill empowers municipalities to create tenant protection bylaws, improving the enforcement of protections throughout the redevelopment process.
Staff are also suggesting key amendments to the policy as the new bylaw progresses, including adjusting compensation to better reflect challenges faced by long-term tenants and increasing moving cost allowances in line with inflation.
A review of Coquitlam’s purpose-built rental housing underscores the necessity of robust tenant protections. As of spring 2024, over 60% of the City’s rental units were 45 years or older, making them prime candidates for redevelopment.
Coquitlam’s Tenant Relocation Policy, established in 2015, received major updates in 2021 to enhance support and compensation for renters during redevelopment. This policy sets clear expectations for developers regarding tenant notification and relocation assistance.