Mom and child at YWCA housing by Joy Gyamfi
Programs & Services

YWCA Housing

YWCA housing communities provide safe and affordable homes for single women and their dependent children. 

Residents have access to other YWCA programs and services, and a foundation to move towards health, well-being and economic stability. They are located across Metro Vancouver. 

 

If you are looking for our Crabtree Corner housing or second-stage transition housing for women leaving violence, please visit our Short-term and Transitional Housing page. 

Is YWCA Housing right for you?

Is YWCA Housing a good fit for you and your family?

Does the location work for you? We encourage you to explore the neighbourhood and ensure that it is suitable for school, work, child care, grocery stores, transit, etc.

Consider if you want to participate in community (in rent geared to income units). Tenants are not required to participate in housing community activities, however there are opportunities to do so.

Rent geared to income housing has a Community Development Coordinator onsite to: offer information and referrals on resources and YWCA events and services; facilitate tenant meetings; coordinate tenant events; distribute donations (Presents of PEACE hampers in December, and any new food and clothing donations received by the YWCA).

Consider whether you will be able to comply with YWCA housing policies, which include only 14 days per year for overnight guest stays, requiring tenant insurance, pet-friendly and smoke-free housing communities, etc.

How it Works

Before applying, learn more about our housing communities, their locations and our policies to determine whether YWCA Housing is a good fit for your family.  

We offer two types of housing: rent geared to income and predetermined rent. 

Please review the eligibility criteria to determine whether you qualify for YWCA Housing, and if so, which type.   

 

To apply, you will need to provide:   

  • Name and date of birth of children who will live with you at least 40% of the time. 

  • Names and contact information of landlords for all places you have lived over the past five years. 

  • Financial information about your assets (including your bank balances, RRSPs, investments, real estate, etc.). 

Complete the application below.  Your application will remain active for one year. Contact housingapplications@ywcabc.org annually if you would like your application to remain active. 

Our waitlist exceeds the number of housing units we have to offer. We encourage applicants to apply to other subsidized housing in addition to YWCA Housing. 

You will not be contacted unless selected for an interview.  We are unable to disclose your position on our waitlist since multiple factors are taken into consideration for housing offers. These include: date of application, size of families and units available, if the applicant lives in or has close ties to the community with a vacancy, accessibility or medical needs or more.

If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by our Property Services team.  

We will inform you of our decision within 10 business days. 

If you are offered a unit, you will have two business days to respond before you are removed from the waitlist. 

Prior to move-in, you will meet with the Property Manager to review and sign paperwork, pay your security deposit and arrange your move-in date.  

On your move-in date, the Suite Inspector will conduct a suite inspection with you, provide you with keys and tour you through the building. 

Shortly after move-in, you will be contacted by the Community Development Coordinator to discuss YWCA services and answer any questions. 

YWCA Affordable Housing Locations

YWCA Cause We Care House

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income  

21-unit building of two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments. YWCA Cause We Care House has a small communal garden, an outdoor play area suitable for younger children and an amenity room. It is located above the nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona library. 

Learn more

YWCA Left Field

Status
Accepting Applications

Rent: rent geared to income

YWCA Left Field is located close to parks and within walking distance to Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station. It features a rooftop garden and Modo carshare onsite. The new building will offer rent-geared-to-income units with a mix of studios, one, two and three bedroom units.

Learn more

YWCA Pacific Spirit Terrace

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: predetermined rent 

16-unit building of two- and three-bedroom apartments. YWCA Pacific Spirit Terrace has a small communal garden, an outdoor play area suitable for younger children and an amenity room. It is located above Fire Hall #5 in Champlain Heights. 

Learn more

YWCA Sandy So Vista

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income

(Below-market units available through TPM Management)

YWCA Sandy So Vista, located at 388 Slocan Street in Vancouver, is a partnership between YWCA BC, Chard Development, BC Housing and the City of Vancouver. This housing community offers both deeply affordable (rent geared to income) and below-market units. 

Learn more

YWCA Semlin Gardens

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income 

28-unit building with two- and three-bedroom apartments. YWCA Semlin Gardens is conveniently located within walking distance of Broadway Skytrain Station and Commercial Drive. It has a small communal garden, an outdoor play area suitable for younger children and an amenity room.  

Learn more

YWCA xʷƛ̓əpicən

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income and predetermined rent 

YWCA xʷƛ̓əpicən has 32 units, serving families living on low and moderate incomes.

Learn more

YWCA Cindy Beedie Place

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income

YWCA Cindy Beedie Place is a four-storey building with 41 two-bedroom and 15 three-bedroom homes, each with a bathroom, kitchen, in-suite laundry and dining area. Eleven of the homes are adaptable and accessible.  

 

Learn more

YWCA Marion's Place

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income and  predetermined rent. 

YWCA Marion’s Place is a recently opened housing community with 32 two- and three-bedroom homes in the heart of Burnaby. Ideally located near Metrotown, it’s close to grocery stores, a library, Central Park and public transit. The building includes a shared amenity room and a playground.

Learn more

YWCA Moiz and Nadia Place

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: predetermined rent

YWCA Moiz and Nadia Place provides 27 affordable units in the heart of Richmond. Along with our two- and three-bedroom units for mothers and their children, this is our first site with bachelor and one-bedroom suites for women without children.  

This housing community is close to Richmond Centre, grocery stores, Richmond Public Library, Richmond General Hospital, play areas and plenty of green spaces. Residents also have full access to all other building amenities within the four-tower complex.  

Learn more

YWCA Cheshá7min-aw̓txw

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income 

Nine units of two- and three-bedroom apartments and an amenity space. YWCA Cheshá7min-aw̓txw is located close to amenities, and the building includes a child care centre and grocery store. Priority is given to North Vancouver residents.   

Learn more

YWCA May Brown Place

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income and predetermined rent 

14 two- and three-bedroom apartments. YWCA units are located on the third and fourth floors of a 22-storey building and include an outdoor space and amenity room exclusively for YWCA residents. YWCA May Brown Place is located near Lonsdale Avenue and close to a library, parks and grocery stores.  

Learn more

YWCA Alder Gardens

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income 

28-unit building with two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments. Located in Newton, it is close to the library, shopping and a bus loop, and features a large communal garden, an outdoor playground suitable for children of all ages and an amenity room. Priority is given to Surrey residents. 

Learn more

YWCA Como Lake Gardens

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income 

30 units with a mix of two- and three-bedroom apartments. It is conveniently located close to a SkyTrain station and shopping and has a small community garden, a small outdoor play area suitable for younger children and an amenity room. Priority is given to Coquitlam residents.  

Learn more

YWCA Como Lake Mews

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: predetermined rent 

Seven two-and three- bedroom townhouses located next to YWCA Como Lake Gardens, and close to a SkyTrain station and shopping. There is a small outdoor play area suitable for younger children and an amenity room. Priority is given to Coquitlam residents.  

Learn more

YWCA Tyndall Street

Status
Not Accepting Applications

Coming Fall 2027: New Affordable Homes in West Coquitlam 

In partnership with BC Housing’s Women’s Transition Housing Fund and Qualex-Landmark, we are bringing 18 brand-new affordable homes for women and their children to West Coquitlam. 

Learn more

YWCA Fraser Gardens

Status
Waitlist Open

Rent: rent geared to income

20-unit building with two- and three-bedroom apartments. YWCA Fraser Gardens has a large community garden, a small outdoor playground suitable for smaller children and an amenity room.  It is located in Langley, close to shopping.  

Learn more

YWCA Peggy Mackenzie Terrace

Status
Accepting Applications

Rent: rent geared to income

YWCA Peggy Mackenzie Terrace will have 47 units including one studio, 23 one bedrooms and 23 two bedrooms. This new housing development is located in the Willoughby area of Langley.

Learn more
YWCA Housing Types: Who Can Apply

We offer two types of housing, rent geared to income and predetermined rent.

Qualification criteria for rent geared to income and predetermined rent (except for YWCA xʷƛ̓əpicən) includes, but is not limited to:

  • You are a single mother who can live independently.
  • You are a single mother with dependent* children.
  • You have one or more children in your care at least 40% of the time.
  • You have reliable and positive previous housing references.
  • Your admission to our housing community will not endanger the welfare and safety of other residents.

*Dependent is defined as a child under 19 years of age, or a child of any age who, because of mental or physical infirmity, is accepted as a dependent for income tax purposes; or a child under 25 years of age and in full-time attendance at a college, university, or vocational institution which provides a recognized diploma, certificate or degree. “Full-time attendance” is defined as enrolment in the minimum number of credit courses specified by the institution to constitute full-time, enrolment in a minimum 15 hours of classroom instruction per week, or enrolment in nine credits in each school term.

YWCA Moiz and Nadia Place only additional eligibility:

  • You are a single woman without children who can live independently 
  • Priority given to women 55+ and women who have experienced, or are fleeing, abuse from an intimate partner
Rent Geared to Income

Rent Geared to Income refers to subsidized long-term housing. Tenant Rent Contribution (rent) is calculated on a rent geared to income basis (30% of household total gross income, subject to minimum rent, or income assistance shelter portion). There is no minimum income limit, but there are maximum income limits set for the housing units.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for all rent geared to income YWCA Housing, your total annual family income must not exceed the established Housing Income Limits.

Current limits (last updated in 2023):

Number of bedrooms Maximum income per year
a) Studio or one-bedroom $ 58,000

b) Two

 $ 72,000
c) Three $ 86,000
d) Four $ 107,500

Applicable buildings: Semlin Gardens, Vancouver; Alder Gardens, Surrey; Fraser Gardens, Langley; Como Lake Gardens, Coquitlam; Cause We Care House, Vancouver; Cheshá7min-aw̓txw, North Vancouver; May Brown Place, North Vancouver; xʷƛ̓əpicən, Arbutus Ridge, Vancouver; Sandy So Vista, Vancouver; Marion's Place, Burnaby; Cindy Beedie Place, Burnaby

 

Apply for Rent Geared to Income Housing

 

Predetermined Rent

Predetermined Rent refers to long-term housing with rent set at an amount below the average market rent for the community. Applicants and tenants have to fall between the minimum and maximum income limits set for the housing units.  The minimum and maximum limits vary by community. 

Please refer to the housing community pages listed below for their requirements: 

 

xʷƛ̓əpicən 

Number of bedrooms Minimum income per year Maximum income (HILs)
a) Two $ 45,719 $ 72,000
b) Three $ 50,119 $ 86,600

Como Lake Mews

Number of bedrooms Minimum income per year Maximum income (HILs)
a) Two $ 32,719 $ 72,000
b) Three $ 36,319 $ 86,600

May Brown Place

Number of bedrooms Minimum income per year Maximum income (HILs)
a) Two $ 41,359 $ 72,000
b) Three $ 52,039 $ 86,600

Pacific Spirit Terrace 

Number of bedrooms Minimum income per year Maximum income (HILs)
a) Two $ 41,599 $ 72,000
b) Three $ 49,879 $ 86,600

Moiz and Nadia Place

Number of bedrooms Minimum income per year Maximum income (HILs)
a) Bachelor No minimum $ 43,071
b) One No minimum $ 47,546
c) Two $ 51,399 $ 58,174
d) Three $ 60,839 $ 72,158

Marion's Place 

Number of bedrooms Minimum income per year Maximum income (HILs)
a) Two $ 55,800 $ 72,000
b) Three $ 64,020 $ 86,000

 

Applicable buildings: Pacific Spirit Terrace, Vancouver; xʷƛ̓əpicən, Arbutus Ridge, Vancouver; Marion's Place, Burnaby; May Brown Place, North Vancouver; Moiz and Nadia Place, Richmond;  Como Lake Mews, Coquitlam

 

Apply for Predetermined Rent Housing

How to Apply

Before you apply, gather the information that you will need:   

  • Full name and date of birth of any child who will live with you at least 40% of the time. 

  • Names, addresses and contact information of landlords for all of the places that you have lived over the past five years. 

  • Your financial information about your assets (how much you have in your bank accounts, RRSPs, investments, real estate, etc.). 

Fill out the online application for rent geared to income, or predetermined rent.  

For More Information

Contact Yasmin B., Applications Administrator
housingapplications@ywcabc.org

Office Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Illustration of women holding herself in a crouching position by Anita Rudakov
Crisis and Transition Resources

Our Stopping the Violence brochure lists transition houses, crisis lines, and other support organizations for women leaving abuse.

More from the YWCA
Short Term & Transitional Housing
YWCA Safe Haven
Support for Single Moms
Child Care & Early Learning