The City of Vancouver announced today it had purchased a building at 2075 Kingsway that will provide approximately 65 new units for people experiencing homelessness, once renovations are complete in Fall 2021.

The funding for this project comes in part from Ottawa’s $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) allocation for Vancouver that was announced late last year by  , federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen and Mayor Kennedy Stewart

In all, the federal RHI investment in Vancouver, when matched to the Mayor’s $30-million housing fund for unsheltered residents that Council approved last October, will create up to 135 new affordable homes in the city.

“Providing new public housing in the neighbourhood is only possible thanks to an unpreceded direct investment from the federal government to the City of Vancouver,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “I am deeply grateful to Minister Hussen for his commitment to working directly with Vancouver, allowing us to rapidly support neighbours in need. This is how collective action by all levels of government can respond to COVID-19 and break the cycle of homelessness.”

“I believe everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Stewart “The COVID-19 crisis has made it clear that affordable housing is key to Canada’s recovery as major cities across the country, including Vancouver, are dealing with the devastating impacts of rising levels of homelessness and housing need.”