The decision was released in a motion from the in-camera portion of the June 9 Special Business Meeting and reflects ongoing site investigation work between the District and BC Housing, the District said.
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The District continues to evaluate multiple other sites to put forward to BC Housing for review. That work involves weighing BC Housing’s technical and operational requirements along with neighbourhood considerations. Site selection is expected to be finalized in July to meet the Province’s funding deadlines.
“While homelessness is a provincial government mandate, we care about our most vulnerable residents and want to ensure the site selection process reflects the needs of Squamish and that the property we suggest to BC Housing integrates well into our community,” said Mayor Armand Hurford.
Council has invited BC Housing to present an overview of the HEART and HEARTH program at the June 23 Committee of the Whole meeting. The presentation will include lessons and successes from other communities, and the meeting will be live-streamed, recorded and available on the District’s YouTube channel and Civicweb portal.
According to the District, a suitable site must be large enough to accommodate modular homes and provide sufficient privacy and indoor and outdoor amenity space for resident programs and services. The site should also integrate well into the neighbourhood, with appropriate buffers and screening, safe access and transportation options.
Once operational, the site would include security measures such as fenced grounds, a single point of entry, fob access, 24/7 staffing, security cameras and lighting. Residents apply to live in the housing, sign program agreements and pay rent. The sites are accessible only by housing staff and residents, with no drop-in services available to the wider community.
Resident supports in temporary transitional housing can include life skills training, employment assistance and help accessing social and health care services, which the District says makes residents more likely to remain housed.
Once a site is chosen, the District will support BC Housing in contacting neighbours and providing information and opportunities for discussion. The District said it will remain involved in supporting community integration and livability for both residents and neighbours.
“Housing is both a fundamental human right and a critical part of community belonging,” Hurford said. “When operational, the HEARTH temporary transitional housing, with the supports and security that it provides, will help vulnerable residents regain dignity and safety which are important steps to stabilize their lives.”
Homelessness is growing across B.C., particularly in small and mid-sized communities, with provincial data showing a 31 per cent increase between 2020/21 and 2023. In Squamish, the number of people experiencing homelessness rose 11 per cent during that period, from 107 to 119 individuals, and 17 per cent between 2021 and 2025, from 107 to 125 individuals.
The Point in Time homeless count found homelessness is almost always the result of more than one event, such as a health challenge, relationship change or eviction pushing income challenges to a crisis level. The top reason for housing loss identified in the 2025 Squamish count was “not enough income,” at 53 per cent.
The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs announced in February 2026 that Squamish had been designated a HEART and HEARTH community. The program is part of Belonging in BC, the Province’s plan to prevent and reduce homelessness.
