This week thanks to Councillor Jean Swanson, Vancouver City Council is moving forward with single resident occupancy vacancy control to fight speculation & rising rents that push neighbours onto the street. This is a much-needed measure to prevent private-sector landlords from dramatically increasing rent when current tenants move out, thereby removing previously affordable homes from the housing supply. I am proud that most of council voted with Councillor Swanson in support of this action.

But while this may help stabilize rents for our lowest-income neighbours, we need to do more. That’s why I continue to work with Federal and Provincial Housing Ministers Ahmed Hussen, and David Eby on Vancouver’s bold plan to transform SROs into safe places for folks to call home, with the wrap-around supports that help people thrive. You can read all about this proposal here.

This week I was also pleased to join Federal Minister Hussen to announce $31.8M to build 88 affordable rentals focusing on Indigenous people, women & children. The funding covers two projects, 162 Main Street and 545 E Cordova Street. Both projects will also help serve the LGBTQ2+ community. Lookout Housing and Health Society will operate the project at 545 E Cordova St. BC Housing will work with the City of Vancouver to select an experienced non-profit operator for the project at 162 Main St. Both projects are expected to begin construction in the coming weeks and be ready for occupancy by December 2022. 

These 88 new affordable rentals are the latest in thousands of homes approved and underway that are helping build a Vancouver that works for all of us. Thanks to our ongoing housing partnership with the Governments of Canada and B.C., hundreds of our neighbours and their families have a renewed sense of hope that can only come from a safe and affordable place to call home.