As mentioned in previous updates, on December 1st Council endorsed the updated proposed principles to inform the update to the City’s Tenant Assistance Policy. Council approved Option B included in the report and will now prepare the policy and forward to Council for endorsement in early-2026.    

Council approved Option B: Replacement Based on Original Unit Size and More Rooms.  Applicants would be required to provide replacement units that correspond to the original unit size, but may have additional bedrooms, with the ability to reduce unit sizes when they design their building in line with the Building Social Connections Toolkit guidelines. This flexibility is important in cases where replicating larger original unit sizes may limit the feasibility of renewing aging rental housing and would be particularly applicable to 3-bedroom units. This approach offers greater consistency with current design standards and financial realities while continuing to uphold the intent of more equitable unit replacement.  

Additional proposed principles to update include:  

• Tenant Options
• Replacement Unit
• Interim House & Rent Top Up
• Lump Sum Option Calculation 
• Lump Sum Option Transparency 
• Support for Vulnerable Tenants
• Moving Expenses 
• Pets
• Expanded Scope
• Master Planned/and or Multi-building Projects 
• Tenant Assistance Policy 
• Developer Tenant Assistance Program Management  

Additional information can be found in the full report by City staff and Proposed Principles to Update the City’s Tenant Assistance Policy.