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Planned or in the budgetNorth Yards
What should happen with the supportive housing planned at 39900 Government Road?
Skip to answeringBC Housing plans a six storey building with 65 studio homes at 39900 Government Road, near Centennial Way. It is supportive housing for single adults 19 and older who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including seniors and people with disabilities. Squamish Helping Hands would run it, with staff on site around the clock.
Residents apply, sign program agreements and pay rent. Unlike Under One Roof, there would be no drop in services; only people who live there can use it. A second six storey building with 85 to 100 affordable rental homes, run by Housing Squamish, is planned on the same site, but its funding is not confirmed.
The land is owned by the District of Squamish, which approved a 60 year lease to the Province's rental housing corporation in July 2026. The site is already zoned for this use, so no rezoning hearing is needed. BC Housing expects construction to start in summer 2027 and the building to open in summer 2029. Some neighbours have asked for clear accountability, reporting and a way to raise problems.
Key facts
- Homes
- 65 studio homes in a six storey building1
- Operator
- Squamish Helping Hands, with staff on site around the clock1
- Construction start
- Summer 2027 (BC Housing estimate)1
- Opening
- Summer 2029 (BC Housing estimate)1
- District support
- Fees and frontage works waived, plus a $500,000 federal Housing Accelerator Fund grant (2025)2
- Second building
- 85 to 100 affordable rentals; funding not confirmed, no timeline1
Where it stands
Planned or in the budget The District has it in a plan or budget, but it hasn’t happened yet. The ask is usually about doing it sooner or differently.
Who decides: Squamish council.
What each answer would mean
- Build it as planned65 homes with support for people leaving homelessness.
- Build it, with changesFor example a smaller building, or more say for neighbours in how it’s run.
- Build it somewhere elseA different site, which likely means a delay.
The case for each answer
The strongest honest case for each side, as people who hold it would put it.
Build it as planned
- It adds 65 homes with support for people leaving homelessness, and the approvals and site work are already done.
- It is designed to be different from Under One Roof: no drop in services, controlled access and staff around the clock.
Build it, with changes
- Neighbours want clear accountability, public reporting and a way to escalate problems written into how the building runs.
- Changes such as stronger neighbour commitments could build trust without stopping the project.
Build it somewhere else
- Some residents worry about the distance from services and the closeness to family homes.
- A new site would likely mean a new lease, new studies and a delay of years for the homes.
How we got here
- June 2025Project announced; BC Housing held information sessions and wrote to neighbours.1
- July 8, 2025Council waived frontage works and fees and gave a $500,000 capital grant. One councillor opposed.2
- March 2026Site preparation started.1
- June 16, 2026Council announced $190,000 in federal Housing Accelerator Fund money for site servicing.3
- July 21, 2026Council endorsed a 60 year lease of the south part of the site to the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation.4
Questions people ask
Who can live there?
Single adults 19 and older who are homeless or at risk of it, including seniors and people with disabilities. They apply, sign program agreements and pay rent.1
How is it different from Under One Roof?
The District says it will have no drop in services and will be open to rent paying residents only, with lessons from Under One Roof shaping its design and operations.5
What safety measures are planned?
A 2025 engagement report proposed fencing, fob access, a reception desk staffed around the clock, cameras, lighting, a direct phone line for neighbours and regular walkabouts.6
Will neighbours have a say once it opens?
BC Housing says it will set up a Neighbourhood Inclusion Table with Squamish Helping Hands, the District, Vancouver Coastal Health and the police, meeting regularly in the first year.1
Ready to decide?
Your answer
Tap to answer, then see what Squamish said. Tap your answer again to take it back.
- What should happen with the supportive housing planned at 39900 Government Road?BC Housing plans six storeys with 65 studio homes and support staff around the clock, run by Squamish Helping Hands. Construction is set to start in summer 2027.
More background
- What should happen with people still camping downtown?
- Put the modular shelter somewhere other than the park near Junction Park
- Install the defibrillator at the Brennan Park pickleball and tennis courts this year
- When should Squamish build more pickleball courts?
- Fix up the Eaglewind courts and reopen them for tennis
- What should Brennan Park add next?
- Fence the off leash dog area at John Hunter Park
- Build covered outdoor basketball courts
- Keep the new crosswalk and wider multi use lane on Highlands Way North
- Put raised crosswalks and new signs on Upper Mamquam Road
- Put a raised crosswalk and new signs on Skyline Drive
- Make the Highway 99 and Cleveland Avenue intersection safer
- Should downtown parking stay free?
- Should Squamish help pay for a bus to Vancouver and Whistler?
- How much should property taxes go up in 2027?
- How should Squamish speed up dike upgrades?
Sources
- BC Housing: Squamish, 39900 Government Road
- District of Squamish: Special Business Meeting minutes, July 8, 2025
- District of Squamish: Regular Business Meeting minutes, June 16, 2026
- District of Squamish: Regular Business Meeting minutes, July 21, 2026
- Squamish Reporter: Government Road facility will be different than Under One Roof (November 4, 2025)
- Squamish Reporter: Construction planned for BC Housing project in Squamish next year (November 4, 2025)
Spot something wrong or out of date? Email squamishvoters@gmail.com.