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Vancouver council approves pause on supporting housing projects

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Feb, 2025 11:56 AM

Vancouver's council has approved Mayor Ken Sim's plan to temporarily halt net new supportive housing projects in the city.

A news release from Sim's office says it will allow the city to focus to "renewing aging, deteriorating stock," and transition temporary modular housing into permanent homes, while pushing for more supply elsewhere in the region.

The city says the pause doesn't apply to housing for seniors, women, families, youth aging out of care, health care-related housing, or "social housing with occasional supports."

Councillors heard from more than 80 residents, many voicing concerns about the proposal, but the motion passed with six votes in favour on Wednesday night.

Coun. Lisa Dominato was among three who voted against Sim's plan, saying it would "likely exacerbate homelessness."

She says the plan won't compel other cities to step up and that it's still unclear which supportive housing projects would go ahead.

"There was no consultation with the non-profit housing sector providers and the narrow scope of this motion, while I understand the intent of having exemptions, it's actually stigmatizing," she said.

Dominato is a member of Sim's ABC party. Another councillor who voted against the plan, Rebecca Bligh, was ejected from the party this month after speaking out against the housing plan.

The plan says city staff will deliver a biannual report tracking regional progress on supportive housing development and homelessness, adding that the move will not affect in-progress projects, applications submitted within six months of the motion passing or initiatives replacing existing units.

In the news release, Sim said the motion "is about making sure supportive housing works for those who need it most while ensuring better outcomes for everyone.”

“For too long, Vancouver has shouldered more than its fair share of the region’s supportive housing, yet conditions in the Downtown Eastside continue to deteriorate,” he said.

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."

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