The past eight years of development have garnered the City of Richmond 477 subsidized affordable rental units under the city’s affordable housing strategy but the city is expected to need about 2,500 units by 2041, according to Metro Vancouver data cited in a report to council Monday that recommends the city procure provincial funding for low-income and emergency housing.
Furthermore, the city has found an increasing number of women and children have gone without emergency housing and social services in the city over the last 15 years.
Councillors Ken Johnston, Derek Dang and Linda McPhail contested while the city needs more housing options, it is the province’s responsibility and the city can only be a facilitator.
The staff report was supportive of the concept that the social and financial benefits of supportive housing options outweigh that of people being jailed or hospitalized.
The report, in response to a council referral to examine low-income and emergency housing options for the city, stopped short of allocating a specific sum to any project. It did indicate a property could be purchased via the affordable housing reserve.
The reserve “may be utilized to contribute to provide a capital contribution towards a multi-stakeholder project,” states the report from affordable housing coordinator Dena Kae Beno, who stated in place of higher government funding losses, faith groups and community organizations have attempted to fill the gaps.
The city is presently assessing whether to double certain contributions from developments, to the affordable housing reserve.
“It’s wonderful when you come forward and ask us a question (on emergency housing),” said St.Alban’s emergency shelter volunteer Jennifer Larsen.
