Richmond Metropolis Council has revoked its approval of a controversial supportive housing venture.
The 90-unit complicated had been slated to go up on a city-owned property at Cambie and Sexsmith roads, however the plan confronted lots of public opposition and was the main target of a string of vocal demonstrations over the previous yr.
Council mentioned that the robust opposition led to their resolution to vote in opposition to the venture.
Final week, B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon mentioned the province was absolutely behind the venture.
“If we had different alternate options, we might be contemplating them,” he mentioned. “However sadly, there’s no different choices proper now.”
Kahlon mentioned the province had made positive there was not going to be a protected consumption website on the property and there can be further cameras and safety.
Kahlon mentioned he’s now disenchanted within the council’s resolution to vote in opposition to the venture.
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“It’s disappointing as a result of by 2027 we have now two short-term websites that can have leases expiring, and meaning we’re going to have 90 folks that probably may very well be sleeping in encampments or sleeping in entrance of companies locally,” Kahlon mentioned.
“And I do know the neighborhood mentioned that to us, that’s not protected for anybody. And so we’ll look ahead to the Metropolis of Richmond to come back ahead with another location. However time is ticking.”
Work on the positioning had been paused since final summer season whereas different potential websites have been evaluated, however the province mentioned the Sexsmith Street location stays the most suitable choice.
When it was paused, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie mentioned the power was meant to be a extra secure house for individuals transitioning out of a pair of short-term modular housing tasks within the metropolis.
He mentioned he understood neighbours’ issues, however that scrapping the venture received’t make town’s homeless disappear.
“So I ask the query, would individuals moderately take care of them when they’re housed, after they have a fundamental stage of housing and a roof over their head and a few type of safety?” he mentioned.
“Or would they moderately take care of them when they’re on the road someplace or in very marginal circumstances simply scraping by? I believe the best way to take care of it’s to provide them a leg up.”
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