Marcon Affiliated Chapter Housing Society Partners with SCDC to Deliver 478 Rental Homes in Surrey City Centre Under BC Housing Initiative

The Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) was created by the City of Surrey to act as its real estate development arm, developing City-owned land rather than selling it outright. Its mission is to:

• Catalyze growth in Surrey City Centre

• Deliver long-term financial returns to taxpayers

• Shape high-quality, transit-oriented communities

To help achieve this, SCDC collaborates with top-tier development partners to deliver essential infrastructure for the city’s growth.

Phase 1 of the Gateway Community

SCDC issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the development community to identify a not-for-profit partner to construct, operate, and maintain an affordable rental housing project on City-owned land. Chapter Housing Society was selected as the partner for Phase 1, a decision formally endorsed by SCDC’s Board of Directors.

Founded by the team at Marcon, Chapter Housing Society is dedicated to expanding access to affordable rental housing across Metro Vancouver. Its mission is to provide secure, high-quality homes for low- to moderate-income individuals and families, guided by the belief that:

“Everyone deserves a place to call home – a place that is not only secure and comfortable, but also within reach.”

Partnership with BC Housing

To accelerate development and support middle-income households, SCDC has partnered with BC Housing through the BC Builds program. Key elements include:

• Low-cost loans and grants to reduce construction costs

• Faster delivery of affordable rental homes

• Up to 30% of units offered at below-market rates

Revisions to the original Housing Agreement are being made to accommodate BC Builds financing requirements, with a new agreement to be presented for approval.

Subject Site:

 

The 2.3-hectare (5.7-acre) site spans nine properties in Surrey City Centre and is bordered by 133 Street to the west, 108 Avenue to the north, University Drive to the east, and the future 107A Avenue to the south.

 

 

The site was previously home to the Sunshine Housing Co-op, which included 39 townhouse units and 95 bedrooms. A six-storey apartment building with 69 new homes was later approved for the northeast corner of 104 Avenue and 132 Street to replace the co-op. This project was delivered through a partnership between Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) and the Community Land Trust, with funding support from BC Housing and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

 

 

 

The plan allows for a phased development featuring four high-rise towers—two mixed-use and two residential—ranging from 40 to 44 storeys. In total, the project will deliver 1,814 purpose-built rental homes, along with 865 square metres of ground-floor retail space, at an overall floor area ratio (FAR) of 7.2.

 

 

The applicant has advised that construction will be completed in phases, with expected occupancy as follows:

Lot 1: Q2 2030
Lot 3: Q2 2031
Lot 2: Q2 2032
Lot 4: Q2 2032

Population & Growth Considerations

Additional schools will be required to support the growing area, and the School District has expressed interest in partnering with this development to deliver an on-site elementary school in a future phase.

Lot 3 is located on the eastern portion of the site, next to the proposed park, and will feature a 44-storey residential rental tower with an eight-storey stepped podium, delivering 475 homes. Surrey City Development Corporation (SCDC) has also proposed an alternative Phase 3 option that would incorporate an urban elementary school within the tower’s podium.

BC Housing/BC Builds Initiative: 

BC Builds is a provincial housing program, delivered by BC Housing, designed to speed up the delivery of new rental homes that middle‑income British Columbians can afford by addressing key barriers such as high land costs, construction costs, and lengthy development timelines.

Key features of the program include:

• Partnerships with governments, First Nations, non‑profits, community groups, and developers to identify and develop underused land for rental housing.

• Low‑interest repayable loans and grants to help lower construction costs and make projects financially viable.

• Projects aimed at moving from concept to construction in 12–18 months, significantly faster than typical timelines.

• A focus on middle‑income households, with rents set so that households spend no more than about 30 percent of their income on rent, and, where grants are provided, at least 20 percent of units at rents at least 20 percent below market.

BC Builds is part of a broader strategy to increase rental housing supply across British Columbia and make homes more attainable for people who work in their communities.

The file is being considered at council on January 12, 2026. 

SCDC Gateway Information: https://www.scdc.ca/2023onwards/gateway

Macon's Chapter Housing Website: https://www.scdc.ca/2023onwards/gateway

Link to Application: https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/planning-reports/PLR_7924-0286-00_0.pdf

Link to Original Application: https://www.surrey.ca/sites/default/files/planning-reports/PLR_7924-0286-00.pdf

BC Builds: https://www.bcbuildshomes.ca/