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

Break & enter investigation in Maple Ridge

Police in Maple Ridge have seized stolen firearms, jewellery, and illegal drugs in relation to a break and enter investigation. Ridge Meadows R-C-M-P say they responded to a report of a break and enter back in November at a home in Maple Ridge and the alleged suspects were identified.

Break & enter investigation in Maple Ridge

Arrest in smuggling operation: CBSA

The Canada Border Services Agency says a 34-year-old Vancouver resident has been arrested for their suspected involvement in a cigarette smuggling operation. It says an investigation into the operation was launched in February after C-B-S-A officers intercepted numerous contraband cigarette shipments at Vancouver International Airport Commercial Operations and the Vancouver International Mail Centre.

Arrest in smuggling operation: CBSA

Landslide on tracks stops Amtrak passenger runs between Seattle and Vancouver

A landslide that blocked railway tracks has stopped Amtrak passenger service between Vancouver and Seattle. Amtrak says in a statement Thursday that the landslide near White Rock, B.C., led Burlington Northern Santa Fa Railway to place a 48-hour moratorium on passenger service.

Landslide on tracks stops Amtrak passenger runs between Seattle and Vancouver

Emissions in Canada fell last year, though still far off Paris targets

For the first time since the pandemic, Canada had a year-over-year decline in its greenhouse gas emissions — though it is still a long way off its 2030 target. A preliminary emissions report Thursday from the federal government shows greenhouse gases emitted in 2023 fell by six million tonnes compared to 2022, the equivalent to what about 1.4 million passenger vehicles emit over the course of a year.

Emissions in Canada fell last year, though still far off Paris targets

Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna sold to the city

A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. A statement from Public Safety Minister Garry Begg says the sale of the home in Kelowna includes a "right of entry," which means the province's civil forfeiture office can take the property back if it is ever acquired and used for organized crime in the future.

Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna sold to the city

Dozens get sick with 'norovirus-like' illness after eating raw B.C. oysters

Health officials in British Columbia say at least 64 people have become sick after eating raw oysters from restaurants and retail locations. A statement from the BC Centre for Disease Control and the provincial health authority says the "norovirus-like" gastrointestinal illnesses have been reported since Nov. 1 in the Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health regions.