“Starting a family is a big decision and big change for many people, and that shouldn’t come with the risk of people losing their home,” said Ravi Kahlon, the province’s housing minister. “After hearing from a few people experiencing similar situations, we’ve made changes so they and others can grow their families or support their children, while knowing that they’ll be able to stay in the home they know and love.”
The amendments expand the list of exemptions to 55-and-over bylaws in strata (condominium) buildings to include future children and spouses or partners of current residents. It will also create an exemption to permit adult children of current residents to move back home with their parents or former caregivers.
“This is an important change that balances the ability of seniors in age-restricted strata buildings to receive the health-care supports they need in their own homes with the desire of many seniors to live in buildings that focus on creating a senior-friendly environment,” said B.C. seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie.
The B.C. government amended its Strata Property Act last November to end all rental-restriction bylaws and limit strata age-restriction bylaws to 55-and-over bylaws to promote seniors’ housing. As a result, some strata corporations moved to adopt 55-plus age-restriction bylaws. While the Act was amended to allow live-in caregivers and people who were already lawfully residing in the units to live in 55-and-over buildings, it did not account for residents’ future children or spouses.
More information about strata age-restriction bylaws can be found here.
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