Critics are pushing again on Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s proposal to remake the Downtown Eastside by decentralizing companies and freezing any new supportive housing.
Sim laid out the plan Thursday at a public security discussion board, saying he’ll amend the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Plan to advertise a mixture of housing, companies and companies, whereas decentralizing social companies which might be concentrated within the neighbourhood.
The mayor mentioned the supportive housing freeze would give town an opportunity to repair up its deteriorating current housing inventory whereas pressuring neighbouring municipalities to do their half.
“I believe it belies lack of comprehension from the mayor on what’s actually occurring down right here,” mentioned Vancouver Inexperienced metropolis councillor Pete Fry, calling the transfer “extremely troubling.”
“It actually received’t assist decentralize a few of the focus that the mayor talks about as a result of if we’re saying no extra (supportive housing) within the Metropolis of Vancouver then actually all we’re leaving is an extra focus within the Downtown Eastside.”
Supportive housing, Fry added, doesn’t simply confer with the stereotype of low-barrier social housing for folks with addictions or psychological well being issues.
“We’re additionally speaking about seniors housing, we’re speaking about folks with disabilities, we’re speaking about restoration housing, these are all types of supportive housing,” he mentioned.
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The native enterprise enchancment affiliation was additionally cool to the mayor’s proposal on Friday.
Hastings Crossing BIA government director Landon Hoyt informed International Information supportive housing amenities within the neighbourhood tended to be those with the fewest issues.
He mentioned the BIA will get the vast majority of its calls associated to security or cleansing from the non-public single-room occupancy or “slum-oriented” buildings within the neighbourhood.
“We have been fairly shocked and a bit involved with the announcement,” he mentioned.
“Supportive housing is one thing this neighbourhood really wants extra of as a result of that’s the form of housing that gives entry to companies, scientific care, meals, that type of factor that folks really want to forestall them from falling into homelessness within the first place.”
Hoyt mentioned he agreed with the necessity to unfold social and supportive housing out throughout town and the Metro Vancouver area usually.
However he mentioned within the absence of commitments from different neighbourhoods or municipalities to simply accept housing, banning it in Vancouver will solely do hurt.
“We’ve what number of, 4,000 people who find themselves homeless now on the road … all through the area? So lowering companies or supportive housing in a single space of town just isn’t the best reply,” he mentioned.
In making his announcement, Sim mentioned mentioned 77 per cent of Metro Vancouver’s supportive companies have been situated in Vancouver, which has about 25 per cent of the area’s inhabitants.
He attributed a few of the Downtown Eastside’s woes to its “cycle of hyper-concentrated social companies” and mentioned the neighbourhood can be higher served by integrating it into the remainder of town.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon mentioned he has but to talk with Sim to get particulars on what precisely the plan entails.
The mayor has but to supply any particular particulars about how companies ought to be revamped within the metropolis, or how new development can be paused.
Sim’s workplace mentioned he was not accessible for an interview on Friday, however mentioned extra particulars can be made public within the coming weeks.
The mayor’s plan comes as town kicks off a byelection for 2 seats on council. Voters will go to the polls on April 5.
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