National

Talk of changing Vancouver's supportive housing policy has organizations on edge

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Feb, 2025 01:04 PM

A proposal by Vancouver's mayor to halt new supportive housing projects in the city has organizations with plans in various stages of completion worried about the projects they've spent years trying to get off the ground.

Mayor Ken Sim announced last month that he would be putting forward a proposal to pause construction of net new supportive housing units in Vancouver, arguing that the city needs to focus on updating its current stock, while supply in other parts of the region increases.

Julie Roberts, executive director of Community Builders, says the organization has weekly meetings that include representatives from the city about the design and construction of a 64-unit supportive housing building that was approved by council last year, but no one has said if the mayor's plan will allow the project to go ahead.

Donna-Lynn (Donnie) Rosa, the CEO of Atira, a housing and women's advocacy group, says she's been told that its projects, which include a building that is expected to be occupied this summer and one that is being renovated, are not believed to be at risk, though city staff told her they don't have clear directions yet.

Data provided by BC Housing list 795 supportive housing units "underway" in Vancouver as of the end of September 2024, which covers "any project that is in the planning, proposal or construction phase."

If approved, the proposed supportive housing project would feature 55 new homes and be located on city-owned land at 3027 and 3037 2nd Ave.#PortAlberni #SupportiveHousing
— BC Housing (@BC_Housing) February 4, 2025

A statement from the City of Vancouver says there are five supportive housing projects with a combined 330 supportive units at various stages of obtaining a development or building permit, as well as one additional project with 53 supportive units under construction.

The statement says any changes to policy would require direction from city council.

"The City of Vancouver has a clear development permit process, and staff will continue to process applications for social and supportive housing according to existing policies until a council resolution is passed."

No date has been provided for when Sim is expected to put forward his proposal to council.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Federal government posts $13B deficit in first half of the fiscal year

The Finance Department says the federal deficit was $13 billion between April and September. That compares to an $8.2 billion deficit over the same period last year.

Federal government posts $13B deficit in first half of the fiscal year

GDP per capita falls for sixth straight quarter, economists split on rate cut size

The Canadian economy shrank on a per-person basis for a sixth consecutive quarter as higher interest rates continued to weigh on business investment. Statistics Canada’s gross domestic product report said the economy grew at an annualized rate of one per cent in the third quarter, down from 2.2 per cent in the second quarter.

GDP per capita falls for sixth straight quarter, economists split on rate cut size

Trudeau noncommittal on expanding rebate beyond 'working Canadians'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to "hardworking Canadians," despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work.

Trudeau noncommittal on expanding rebate beyond 'working Canadians'

Winter storm watch issued as snow, heavy rain expected for B.C. coast

The storm is expected to start tonight and persist until Sunday. More heavy snow is expected in the inland sections of the north coast — including Stewart, which has already received 40 to 55 cm of snow this week — with up to 40 cm more expected between Saturday night and Monday.

Winter storm watch issued as snow, heavy rain expected for B.C. coast

BC Ferries CEO floats prospect that fares may rise 30% or more in 2028

The CEO of BC Ferries is warning the company may need to increase fares by 30 per cent or more in 2028, when the current fare structure expires. Nicolas Jimenez says in a written statement the corporation had forecast last year that such a price rise would be needed to keep up with operating and capital costs, but costs since then have spiked, including a 40 per cent jump in shipbuilding expenses.

BC Ferries CEO floats prospect that fares may rise 30% or more in 2028

Canada Post temporarily laying off striking workers, union says

The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been laying off striking employees as the labour action by more than 55,000 workers approaches the two-week mark. In a notice to members posted Monday, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers called the layoffs a "scare tactic" and said it's looking into the situation.