About one year ago Emily and I sent out dozens of applications to co-op housing throughout Vancouver. We were hoping that co-op housing would give us more stability and community then renting, but without having to pay Vancouver’s crazy housing prices. Even though Vancouver has a decent number of co-ops, they all have long waiting lists and rarely have vacancies. So far, we’ve had 2 interviews for co-ops, but none of them have worked out.
A few months ago the city decided that the social housing units at the Olympic Village would be managed by the Co-op Housing Federation. Some of the units are to be rented out at market rent, some at subsidized rates for low-income earners and people with disabilities, and some turned into Vancouver’s newest housing co-op. Emily and I were interested in the co-op, so we sent an email and were asked to come and check out the units on Saturday. The people running the program must be still figuring things out because they are only renting out the market and subsidized units right now – the co-op portion is still being worked out.
The Olympic Village is an impressive development. It feels like a showcase for the best in green design. Energy is recovered from sewage, rain water is used to flush toilets, there are solar panels on all of the green roofs, community gardens everywhere, LED lights, and even personal Energy Aware energy meters in every suite – which I’d love to try integrating into Pulse Energy. The only downside is that none of the units have dishwashers. As an energy saving measure, I can understand that, but I do love having a dishwasher.
After touring the units, Emily and I made a quick list of pros and cons comparing our current apartment to the Olympic Village. The Olympic Village offers a chance to live somewhere true to our high environmental standards, with an an extra bedroom for guests (and who wouldn’t want to visit us in the Olympic Village!), with a bigger kitchen, and extremely easy access to the Seawall. The downsides were the price ($1902 for a 2-bedroom – we barely pay half of that right now) and the neighbourhood. The rest of the Olympic Village is half-empty, million-dollar, luxury condos, surrounded by light-industrial. Compared to the abundance of grocery stores and vegetarian restaurants within a few blocks of our current home, it would be a real change.
In the end we decided to send in an application. I’m not sure if we’ll get in because they give preference to people who work in emergency services, public health, and education, and people who make less money. It is weird that for us spending $1902 on rent would be very expensive, and yet we’re at the upper cusp of the maximum income allowed to rent these units. It’s twisted, but if we made less we’d have a better chance of getting in.
Canadian Veggie 
I was considering looking into these developments when I get back (either to purchase or rent) because of the newness and great location, but the lack of dishwasher is a bummer. I didn’t have one in my last place and was pretty keen on one for my next pad… For comparison I have friends that live on Cornwall across from Kits pool (view = WOWOWOWOWOW) who pay $2000/month, but it’s really a 1-bed + den though you could certainly sleep someone in that den. Not sure if that will sway your decision if you get selected, but there you have it for what it’s worth. Nothing like the challenge of the Vancouver housing market! 🙂 Good luck!
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Emily and I did some searching on Craigslist. $1900 is sadly market-rate for 2 bedroom apartments in the more trendy Vancouver neighbourhoods (Yaletown, Coal Harbour, Kits, etc). There are cheaper options in other neighbourhoods. We found a really nice 2-bedroom in Strathcona for $1350.
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[…] two weeks, we finally heard back from Coho Management Services, the company renting out the market rental suites at the Olympic Village. Their response: We have received your application and attachments. Unfortunately, your combined […]
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[…] There’s a lot of interest about housing at the Olympic Village going to this post. […]
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Hello,
I am interested in moving into this building June 1st. I have options and am looking to inquire about prices for rent for a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom. I really like this location and have been looking into this building for a few weeks now as I have a few friends who are already renting.
If you could get back to me with any availability that would be great. Thank you
Nicole
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Contact COHO. http://sefcrental.com/
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Pretty old thread here… Thought i’d give this a try anyway. Does anyone have any contact info or idea in regards to finding out more about the rental units for emergency personnel?
Thank you kindly.
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I don’t think special preference is given to specific occupations now that the rental buildings are fully occupied. But you can try asking SUCCESS – they are the new property managers.
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Hi, I found your posts about Olympic Village housing while searching around. My partner and I are going in to sign a lease on Wednesday for a 2br/1ba townhouse and it seems really lovely, but googling has raised some concerns. Do you still live there or in the area? I’m mainly worried that the Enepro bills are still shifty, and complaints about being “watched” all the time such as passive aggressive notes left on your door, nosy inquiring about your overnight guests, etc. A big appeal to me was having our own unit with its own entrance and not being bothered by anyone as long as we were good tenants (we love community engagement but on our own terms and not infringing on home life haha).
Thank you! Your posts have been very informative, although I know management companies have changed since your posts about Enepro bills (SUCCESS instead of COHO I think?)
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There’s more info on this blog: https://122walterhardwick.wordpress.com/
I still live in the building. The mess with Enerpro has long since blown over. We pay an average of $20 a month to Enerpro for heating, hot water, and cold water. Not a big deal.
I’ve never heard about complaints about being watched. The neighbours we have in 122 are awesome and a big part of the reason we enjoy living here. The situation at 80 WH is different, with a less cohesive and friendly community from what I’ve heard.
SUCCESS has been a decent manager. Most of the staff stayed after the the switchover. The maintenance team lead by Dianne is awesome.
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Thanks so much for your response! I figured most of what I was reading was pretty old (all around 2011-2012). We’re very excited! I appreciate you keeping a blog of it all, just what I was looking for before signing a lease.
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