Housing Action Committee        

Housing in Vancouver is a complex problem that affects people at almost all levels of income. With some, it includes mental health, addiction and food security.

We need to find immediate solutions and not only perform more studies. We need to act local and act now.

Most vulnerable —   Make sure everyone has shelter and a secure place to call home

  • Modular housing for the most vulnerable - save existing homes and build more
  • Shelter Rate Housing (family income under $40k) on City Owned land.
  • Social Housing (family income between $40k and $107k) on City Owned land.

We need a Voluntary Recovery / Triage Centre in the DTES, which takes in people, treats them short term, while finding the best recovery options for them.  People may be best served by various longer term recovery options.  First Nations, women, and other special treatment options may be appropriate.  This can also be a Street Nurse Centre.

We need sufficient overnight shelter, but also places to go in the day with food, recreation and health options. 

Consulting with DTES folks is advised and we need practical budget friendly solutions.  

Need harm reduction, off street, communal places for safer drug consumption, safe supply with medical supervision.  

Drug free spaces are important

Need Community based Primary Health Centre

When people come out of recovery, there is an opportunity for a fresh start and we want to get them into modular housing or other supportive housing as they come out of recovery. 

Longer term, we need social housing, coop, land trust, first nations, seniors and other forms of social housing prioritizing shelter rate and rentals to limited incomes.

We need Federal support for modular housing and loan guarantees and other support for new Social Housing

We need Provincial support for Street Nurses, Recovery Centres and support workers as these people reintegrate.

We need to measure the number of unhoused, the people in the streets, crime rates, addiction and mental health cases and people in treatment, setting and getting goals for improvement.

We need Housing for All, and a Health First approach for those that are not ready for housing due to addiction and/or mental health issues.

Renter’s security

  • Restore the Renters Office, to help both renters and landlords understand and meet their obligations.
  • Encourage landlords to keep and maintain their current rentals and invest in more rental homes.
  • Require developers and the City to provide alternative housing for current tenants first, before tearing down their properties

Simon de Weerdt, [email protected]