Glyn Lewis, Founder and CEO of Renewal Developments, knew that there had to be a less expensive and more ecological alternative to bulldozing older homes, mostly bungalow and rancher homes built in the 1950s and 1960s, and repurpose them for low-cost housing.
Statistics about the cost of demolishing older homes.
“Renewal is a campaign disguised as a company. Ultimately we seek to help create a new paradigm. Where good homes are not treated as waste. And in the process to change thinking, policy and industry practices,” says Lewis, who adds land costs are not Renewal’s responsibility. “It’s a shame, and even upsetting, to see so many good homes and good buildings torn down and sent to our local landfills. Every week, we find a beautifully renovated home slated for demolition. Meanwhile there are non-urban communities in dire need of good, affordable, climate resilient housing. This demolition epidemic is incredibly short sighted.”
Increasingly, Metro Vancouver developers are on board with Lewis’s vision.
Last year, Bosa Properties reached out to Lewis to see if he was interested in a Delta show home in pristine condition – one that had never been lived in. Lewis didn’t hesitate.
“Our partnership with the ‘Namgis Nation and Renewal Development reflect how we think about development – not just as buildings, but as opportunities to create lasting value for communities,” says Dan Cupa, Senior Vice President, Residential at Bosa Properties. “By repurposing a former show home, we’re able to meet an immediate community need for the Northern Vancouver Island’s Namgis Nation, while reducing waste and returning scarce industrial land to productive use. It’s a small but meaningful example of building responsibly – for both people and the planet.”
Through its partnership with Wesgroup Properties, and the Shíshálh Nation, Renewal relocated ten homes that once stood in Port Moody’s Coronation Park neighbourhood. The homes were turned from potential housing waste into safe, energy-efficient and affordable housing for the Sunshine Coast’s Shíshálh Nation. That wasn’t all; Wesgroup reallocated $35,000-per-home demolition budget to the Shíshálh Nation to offset relocation costs; while the Nation contributed the land and paid for the homes.
The homes were transported by truck and barge, then modernized, with nine of the homes given new basement suites. Energy upgrades included air-source heat pumps, improved insulation and fully-electric systems, alongside modest renovations and the reuse of reclaimed wood interior beams.
Benefits of repurposing “good-boned” homes.
Relocating existing, liveable homes can increase housing supply and put the cost of homes in-reach for more first-time buyers and working-wage families and address housing scarcity in remote coastal communities, including First Nations communities. Compared to newly-constructed houses, repurposed homes are considerably more affordable.
“The real estate industry in Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria is tearing down thousands of single-family homes to make way for higher-density development,” says Lewis. “So we know there’s an incredible supply of good homes being torn down across the region, and we know there’s an incredible need for housing in these remote First Nation communities. Our work at Renewal Development is to bridge those two opportunities and needs.”
The construction industry is watching. In a few short years, Renewal has been amassing award after award for its innovative approach to the BC housing crisis, including the 2025 Venice Biennale Recognition for Circularity in the Built Environment; 2025 Vancouver Board of Trade 'Business Distinction Finalist; and more recently, the 2026 HAVAN Winner Best Environmental Initiative.
