Information for organizations developing or renovating affordable housing.
Quick links
- BC Housing Design Guidelines and Construction Standards
- BC Housing Design Guidelines and Construction Standards Technical Bulletin No. 1: Section 2 (2020)
- BC Housing Design Guidelines and Construction Standards Technical Bulletin No. 2: Sections 1, 4 and 5 (2022)
- BC Housing Design Guidelines and Construction Standards Technical Bulletin No. 3: Sections 2 and 4 (2023)
- BC Housing Design Guidelines for Women's Safe Home, Transition Houses, second Stage Housing and Long Term Housing
- BC Housing Building Commissioning Guidelines
- BC Housing Commercial Retail Unit Design Guidelines
- Shelter Design Guidelines
- Resources for New Developments Managed by Non-Profit Housing
- Procurement Guidelines for Non-Profit Housing
Design guidelines and construction standards
The BC Housing Design Guidelines & Construction Standards provide guidelines and standards for affordable housing projects whose capital and/or operating budgets are funded or financed by BC Housing regardless of project type.
BC Housing Design Guidelines and Construction Standards Technical Bulletin No. 1 (2020) is an update to Section 2 Energy and Environmental Design, to align BC Housing’s energy performance targets with BC Building Code 2018 Revision 2 and BC Housing’s GHG reduction target with the provincial Climate Change Accountability Act.
BC Housing Design Guidelines and Construction Standards Technical Bulletin No. 2 Sections 1, 4 and 5 (2022) includes updates, revisions and corrections to Sections 1, 4 and 5. The purpose is to enhance the efficiency, functionality, durability, health and safety, and livability aspects of housing units, and to optimize maintenance and operating aspects.
Shelter Design Guidelines
Shelter Design Guidelines assist non-profit societies and development teams with the planning, design, and development process for upgrading existing shelters, or constructing new emergency shelters.
Green building standards
We take a leadership role in creating sustainable housing in British Columbia. When designing affordable housing developments, we implement energy and sustainability design standards. When designing affordable housing developments with funding from BC Housing, there are several third-party rating systems we recommend.
Energy standards & sustainability
Plans and legislation are in place to implement the British Columbia's climate change strategy.