Affordable Housing at $147/sq ft: The Squamish Nation Emergency Housing Project
When people think about affordable housing solutions, they often assume trade-offs like lower quality, limited customization, or compromised sustainability. The Squamish Nation Emergency Housing Project proves otherwise.
Finalized in early 2026, this project delivered fully accessible, energy-efficient emergency and transitional housing to the Squamish Nation at $147 per square foot for the relocated and renovated upper unit, approximately 65% below comparable modular or new construction costs in Metro Vancouver's high-cost housing market.
Why this matters
Housing affordability is a crisis across British Columbia, especially for Indigenous Nations and remote communities facing urgent housing needs. Traditional solutions like modular construction at $356/sq ft or stick-frame builds at $375-$425/sq ft, are often too costly for communities.
Renewal’s model aims to solve this affordability issue by relocating and repurposing existing housing stock. Typically, this model delivers housing 20-40% below new and modular construction.
Renewal’s Squamish Nation Emergency Housing project demonstrates housing can be delivered even more affordably by combining strategic relocation, Nation-led vision, and innovative design. This project delivered a repurposed home at $147/sq ft without compromising quality, sustainability, or community fit.
More about the project
The home before relocation and repurposing.
The home after relocation and repurposing, including the addition of an accessible lower unit.
Originally a 1,200 sq. ft. home in Edgemont Village slated for demolition, the structure was rescued, relocated to the Capilano 5 Reserve, and transformed into two self-contained units: a fully accessible lower unit for emergency housing and a renovated upper unit for transitional housing.
Key features include:
Barrier-free accessibility (ramp access, roll-in shower, adapted layouts).
Energy-efficient upgrades (heat pumps, high-performance windows, fully electric systems).
Durable exterior improvements and EV charging infrastructure.
Nation-led design priorities ensuring the home serves community needs.
The complete project, including basement suite additions, cost $245/sq ft, still 35-40% below market alternatives. But the upper unit alone, at $147/sq ft after CleanBC/ISC energy rebates, represents Renewal's most cost-effective delivery to date.
Check out the full cost breakdown in our case study (see Cost Analysis).
Read more about the Squamish Nation Emergency Housing project here.
Accessible kitchen in the lower unit.
Repurposed kitchen in the upper unit.
Accessible bathroom in the lower unit.
Repurposed bathroom in the upper unit.
What made this project so cost-effective?
1. Proximity reduces transport costs
The home traveled less than 50 km from North Vancouver to the Capilano 5 Reserve. This move was completed in a single evening by truck (i.e., no barging required). Overall, urban-to-urban relocations within Metro Vancouver streamline logistics and reduce costs.
2. High-quality source material
The home was structurally sound and well-maintained, requiring modernization rather than major structural repairs. Quality source homes reduce downstream renovation costs significantly.
3. Nation-led efficiency
The Squamish Nation's clear vision for the home as emergency and transitional housing allowed Renewal to focus resources on essential upgrades rather than unnecessary customization. Nation members and Nation-preferred trades also contributed to construction, creating cost efficiencies through local capacity.
4. Energy rebate eligibility
$20,000 in CleanBC/ISC energy efficiency rebates directly reduced net project costs, demonstrating how government programs can amplify affordability.
5. Duplex conversion maximizes value
By adding a basement suite, the project doubled housing yield from a single relocated structure, maximizing community impact per dollar invested.
A replicable model for urban First Nations
This project isn't a one-off success. It's a replicable blueprint for delivering affordable housing in urban First Nations contexts where traditional construction costs are too high.
The conditions for replication are straightforward:
Home source: Any developer redevelopment site within 50 km of an urban First Nation is a viable candidate
Nation-led vision: Early engagement with Nation housing representatives ensures the finished product reflects community priorities
Duplex conversion: The model can be applied to any single-storey home with sufficient footprint, doubling housing yield
Rebate eligibility: Relocated homes qualify for energy efficiency and other funding programs, further reducing costs
Looking ahead
The Squamish Nation Emergency Housing Project demonstrates what’s possible when demolition turns into opportunity. By intercepting quality homes before they're torn down, modernizing them efficiently, and partnering with Nations who drive the vision, we can deliver housing solutions more affordable, more sustainable, and more aligned with community needs than conventional alternatives.
At $147/sq ft, this project sets a new benchmark for what's achievable. It invites other communities, developers, and policymakers to rethink what's possible in affordable housing delivery.
Interested in learning more about how home relocation can deliver affordable housing for your community? Contact us or explore our complete project portfolio here.
