Photo by Mado El Khouly on Unsplash
Canadian Yachting
Formed in 1974, the Greater Vancouver Floating Home Co-op (GVFHC) established a legal way for people to live on their boats in the heart of the city. The GVFHC owns and operates Spruce Harbour Marina as a cooperative liveaboard marina for co-op members. Pure houseboats are not allowed - the Spruce Harbour floating homes must be able to leave their slips using their own power (or sail).
The marina is located downtown Vancouver, BC, on the south shore of False Creek just east of Granville Island, providing a quiet refuge. The site is on a long-term lease from the city of Vancouver, and liveaboards pay a Liveaboard License Fee (in lieu of property taxes) to the city of Vancouver. All liveaboard boats are hooked directly into the sewage system, and parking is in an underground lot beneath the nearby False Creek Elementary School's soccer field. The center house provides laundry, showers and a sauna, as well as a small lounge area with kitchen for members' use.
To live on your boat at Spruce Harbour, you must be a member of the GVFHC. You can become a member two ways: Buy an existing boat from a current member, or join the waiting list (currently about 5-7 years). When a member sells their boat and wants to leave the GVFHC, their shares are redeemed by the GVFHC. If the boat has been sold to someone wishing to become a member, the GVFHC will interview the prospective member and, on approval, will sell the shares to the new member. If the boat has been sold to someone who does not wish to become a member, the GVFHC will offer the shares to the person at the top of the waiting list.
Contact: 604-733-3512
Originally published here.