Bready Wu |WBN News – Kitsilano | June 10, 2025

Like a game of musical chairs with too few seats, Kitsilano’s housing market leaves residents circling—never finding a place to land.

Zoning Progress, But Slow Delivery
The City of Vancouver has made major policy strides through R1-1 zoning, enabling 3–6 units per lot, plus Net Zero and transit-based density bonuses. Backed by the provincial Housing Supply Act and Bill 44, more than 1,500 multiplex units are in application citywide.

But Kitsilano hasn’t caught up in real terms. New duplex builds here remain sparse and skew toward luxury pricing—often exceeding $2.6M per unit.

A Personal Story from the Block
While door-knocking on West 15th Avenue, I met a couple living in a 90+ year-old home on a 6,000 sq ft lot. They’ve been part of the neighborhood for over 40 years.

“We love the neighborhood. We’d like to downsize, but there’s nothing we like nearby. We don’t want to leave Kits,” they told me.

This is exactly the problem: residents who want to stay and adjust their housing as life changes are left without viable options.

Filtering Requires Mid-Market Supply
CMHC emphasizes that filtering is only effective when enough new homes are built to meet various household needs. That includes transitional homes—not just entry-level or luxury units. Kitsilano lacks that middle ground.

Conclusion
If we want vibrant, evolving communities, we need to build for the people who already live there. Filtering is more than a concept—it’s how neighborhoods stay alive.

Want to discuss how Kitsilano can grow with its residents? Connect with me on LinkedIn or call 778-838-3099 to share your ideas.

Bready Wu | Kitsilano Home Expert | Vancouver Land Development Specialist | LinkedIn

Hashtags: #WBN News Kitsilano #Filtering #Kitsilano Real Estate #Bready Wu #CMHC #Urban Planning #Vancouver Real Estate #Affordable Housing

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