Why did we do this?
The City of Maple Ridge's Housing Action Plan & Housing Needs Report outlines priority issues, including the need for market and affordable rental housing. Existing rental housing stock in Maple Ridge is aging and the demand for rental housing is increasing. The City is aware of the challenges of maintaining older rental stock and the possibility of tenant displacement through redevelopment.
To mitigate the financial and destabilizing impact of displacement, the City’s existing tenant relocation assistance policy includes requirements for early notification and communication, financial compensation, a relocation assistance plan that includes moving cost compensation, assistance finding comparable alternative housing options, provision of the services of a Tenant Relocation Coordinator and the right of first refusal for new rental units.
Tenant Relocation Assistance Policy
Manufactured Home Park Redevelopment Tenant Assistance Policy
Transitioning the Policy into a Bylaw
Redevelopment pressures are largely market-driven and affect privately owned properties. In anticipation of developments coming onstream in key growth areas of the City in the future, Council has directed the City to study the possibility of transitioning the existing Tenant Relocation Assistance Policy into a proposed Tenant Protection Bylaw to strengthen tenant protections, in the event that redevelopments of existing rental buildings occur.
Further reading:
Council report: An Update on Tenant Protections (Mar 4, 2025)
Tenant Survey to inform Bylaw preparation
To mitigate potential displacement impacts, the City is taking proactive steps to ensure tenants are treated fairly and supported throughout the process. The City has retained external consultant Happy Cities, an experienced urban engagement team, to conduct a targeted Tenant Survey with renters across approximately 50 purpose-built rental properties, beginning February 24. These Survey findings will inform Council deliberations on the proposed Bylaw. Results will be summarized and reported in a format that protects individual privacy.
For additional information, contact Louisa-May Khoo, Community Planner, at LKhoo@MapleRidge.ca.