A partnership between Diamond Head Development, Housing Squamish, and Avesta Property Management is opening the door to more attainable housing for Squamish residents, with only a handful of homes left.
Tucked between downtown Squamish and Garibaldi Village at 39180 Finch Place, The Artemis is a brand new rental building designed with something Squamish has been asking for: homes that working residents can actually afford to live in. Of the building’s rental homes, 34 are set aside as below-market units, rented at roughly 10 to 30 percent less than current market rates.
It may seem like a modest number, but it makes a meaningful impact in a community where vacancy is limited and access to rental housing remains a challenge for many locals.
Built for the people who keep Squamish running
The Artemis was designed with the local workforce in mind, individuals and families who live and work in the District of Squamish on moderate incomes. That includes longtime locals and newcomers alike, from young professionals and couples to small families.
To qualify for a below-market home, applicants must fall within set income limits and have a connection to the local community. At least one household member needs to work or run a business in Squamish for a minimum of 20 hours per week, including working from home, with some exceptions for retirees who previously met the criteria or residents unable to work due to disability.
Diamond Head Development is also returning to the District of Squamish council to advocate for raising the income threshold for lone parents to match that of dual-income households, a gap that has historically left single-parent families without viable options.
“Squamish really needs more housing at every price point, but the biggest challenge is for low and moderate-income residents,” a spokesperson for Housing Squamish noted. “There just aren’t many rental options, vacancy is extremely low, and market rents are out of reach for a lot of people.”
How the partnership came together
The project was led by Diamond Head Development, which secured the funding and partnerships needed to bring the building to life. Housing Squamish partnered with Avesta Property Management to run the application process for the 34 below-market homes, ensuring they’re managed efficiently and reach the residents they’re meant for.
It’s a three-way collaboration rarely seen at this scale locally — and one aimed squarely at filling a long-standing gap in Squamish’s housing mix.
What’s still available
Availability is limited, and the remaining homes are moving quickly:
- Below-market: One 2-bedroom and four 3-bedroom homes remaining
- Market rate: Two 2-bedroom and one 3-bedroom homes remaining
Every unit includes one parking stall (with street parking also available on Finch Drive), in-suite laundry, a storage locker, and bike rack. Pets are considered on approval.
The homes themselves are spacious — especially for below-market rentals — with bright open-concept layouts, vinyl plank flooring throughout, modern bathrooms with soaker tubs and quartz vanities, and bedrooms sized to fit a queen bed with built-in storage. Market rate units also include stainless steel appliances. Large windows on either the mountain or tree side frame the views, and the top-floor amenity lounge opens onto a large outdoor deck — ideal for summer BBQs and resident gatherings.
The location is hard to beat; walking distance to Brennan Park Recreation, close to trails and parks, and a short drive from both downtown shops and the mountain bike network. The building is also part of one of the most sustainable communities in Squamish.
A limited-time move-in bonus
For tenants who secure one of the remaining homes, Avesta is currently offering a limited-time move-in bonus. Details are available by contacting Avesta directly.
How to apply
For the below-market homes, applications are submitted online through the Housing Squamish website, where the team is available to help walk applicants through the process. Before applying, it helps to have a few documents ready: your Notice of Assessment, a detailed tax return, your three most recent pay stubs, and recent bank statements to verify income.
Full eligibility details and the application portal are available at housingsquamish.ca/our-housing/artemisatfinch. For market rate units or to book a viewing, contact Avesta at 604-815-4545 or rentals@avesta1.com.
With only a handful of homes left, The Artemis represents a narrow window — both for renters looking to land in Squamish and for a community trying to keep its workforce housed close to home.
