Site of the supportive housing project at 2086-2098 West 7th Avenue and 2091 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver. “Do we support this development and, not to put too fine a point on it, save the lives of our neighbours by putting a safe secure roof over their head or do we kick the can down the road in the name of NIMBYism - right project, wrong location? And that is largely based on fear, ignorance, and discrimination.” “To me, this is about a crossroads we are facing as a society,” Shayne Ramsay told City Council today, noting that this is the first time he has spoke in support of a project in a public hearing during his 22 years as the CEO of BC Housing. Public disorder and safety issues in neighbourhoods and districts arising from the opening of supportive housing projects was repeatedly brought up, including suggestions that there is a lack of accountability and action when concerns are raised by affected residents and businesses.Ĭritics also asserted the building does not provide a sufficient level of support services, that the building should provide housing for families instead of only single individuals, and that BC Housing’s public consultation process was inadequate and not transparent. Augustine Elementary School, playgrounds, and a public park. Most of the public opposition relating to the project relates to concerns over whether this is an appropriate location house people experiencing homelessness, the height and form of the building, and public safety concerns given the project’s adjacency to St. The City-owned site at 2086-2098 West 7th Avenue and 2091 West 8th Avenue (the northeast corner of the intersection of Arbutus Street and 8th Avenue) - immediately north of the future entrance into SkyTrain Arbutus Station and the 99 B-Line bus exchange, and fronting the Arbutus Greenway - will be developed into a 13-storey building with 129 single-occupancy units for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
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![project heartbeat project heartbeat](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Msb0nuaKYCk/hqdefault.jpg)
![project heartbeat project heartbeat](https://projectheart.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pulse-ox-1250x834-1.jpg)
City Council also received over 2,100 written notes from the public on the project, with more than 1,500 opposed and over 500 in support.
![project heartbeat project heartbeat](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lPKH7dR8GmY/maxresdefault.jpg)
Throughout the public hearing, City Council heard from roughly 300 public speakers, including many neighbourhood residents who voiced their opposition over the concerns of impacts. Following a tumultuous public hearing spanning six days over an entire month, Vancouver City Council has approved the controversial plan by BC Housing to build a supportive and social housing building in Kitsilano.Ĭity Council approved the project Tuesday evening in an 8-3 vote, with TEAM councillor Colleen Hardwick, NPA councillor Melissa De Genova, and ABC councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung opposed.