Two city councillors, Bill McNulty and Alexa Loo, have taken clear, but opposing, stances on the controversial homeless housing project slated for construction on Elmbridge Way, while other councillors have yet to decide.
“Right now I’m a ‘no’ vote. I’m not supporting the project. I think there is a better place for it,” McNulty told the Richmond News.
“My concern is I want to know who the operators are, who the clientele is, what the screening process is and if there is a better place to put this.”
Those questions need to be answered before the city goes ahead with “any development of that nature,” said McNulty.
Last week, Peter Liu — a former city council running mate of McNulty — said on Wechat that McNulty claimed the city had decided to choose another location. McNulty denied the rumour.
“I have said I am looking for an alternative, not ‘we,’; I can’t speak for council. I’m going to recommend (to the city) we look into all places,” said McNulty.
“I’m not sure if the location is the right location. Because it’s in the downtown core, that property should have a tower on it, as opposed to 40 units, then there could be a better use – to house more people in need, affordable housing, market rental housing, all kinds of things.”
However, Loo told the News she is supportive of the modular project at the proposed location.
“I think once you house the homeless, they are no longer homeless, it solves the problem,” said Loo.
“It is a good location, right near transit, the hospital, and all the support that is needed.”
Loo said more public consultation is necessary to “make sure that people have the information they need to understand the issue.”
“(Our information session) didn’t answer people’s questions enough. There are still lots of fears and questions surrounding the whole project, how it’s going to be run, what they can expect and the kinds of people that the services will help,” said Loo.
“Once people get more information, I’m hopeful that it will give them the comfort level they are looking for, and really help people to be compassionate about what the situation is for many of our homeless people.”
Other councillors told the News they are neither for nor against the project, while waiting to hear more information through consultations, but some have raised questions.
“Why doesn’t the (provincial) government just give us the $5.9 million to let us deal with the problem,” said Chak Au, noting he has requested staff to ask about the feasibility.
“We have an (affordable housing) strategy and have been doing well with our strategy; we can do more. I don’t want BC Housing just to impose on us and do this kind of temporary housing.”
He said the modular housing may be a quick solution for other cities, but not necessarily the best one for Richmond.
“I’d rather have a long-term solution for the problem. If it’s only temporary, only five years, then what? You will demolish the place, and we’ll still have 40 people to house,” he added.
Coun. Carol Day said she is waiting to see if the new project can follow the “successful model” of the Salvation Army’s emergency shelters before making a decision.
“If they are gonna follow that model, no problem: no police for them, no complaints from the neighbours, and then I’m 100 per cent in favour,” said Day.
“But it must be the same type of model, which was done very efficiently — there were very strict rules for the residents living there.”
The city said at this point, no timeline for further steps about the project are set yet.
“We’re still working on the plan for the next round of consultations. We’ll announce details when it’s ready but it is a ways off yet,” said the city’s spokesperson Ted Townsend.
