News

Yesterday, Vancouver City Council voted to pass the motion to pause net-new supportive housing projects within Vancouver. After listening to over 80 speakers, including the FIRST UNITED Executive Director and Board Chair, overwhelmingly voice their opposition, Council chose to move forward with a damaging motion that will exacerbate homelessness and the affordable housing crisis and will further entrench thousands within a cycle of poverty.  

This motion means that people who need extra support to get through their days and back on their feet—meals, skill building, connections to health services—in Vancouver, where they live and where their networks, services, friends, family, and community are, will not receive it. Supportive housing is for those whom SROs or social housing isn’t the best choice because they by definition don’t have additional supports. There are a number of exceptions within the motion including for seniors, families, and youth aging out of care—and it’s the fact that there are exceptions that illustrate that not everyone who needs it is seen as worthy of safe, supportive housing within their community. Notably, populations not identified under the exceptions are Indigenous people, people living with mental health challenges, and people with substance use disorder.  

This will take a dangerous, life-threatening toll on countless people who need support now more than ever.  

Homelessness increased 32% in Metro Vancouver in 2023, and 16% in Vancouver. That represents 2,420 individuals in need of a place to call home that is safe, affordable, and meets their needs. These figures go up each year. Mayor Sim’s motion and commentary is that other municipalities in the region need to “step up” and do more.  

This is true; we need more supportive housing in all areas of Metro Vancouver and BC. However, as detailed in data from the 2023 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count Report, 78% of respondents became homeless when they were already a resident of Vancouver, and homelessness in all municipalities increased. This shows that people have deep connections to where they are. People should not have to move to a different municipality and leave all of their existing connections and services behind—their doctor, access to public transportation, social and care workers, and of course their loved ones.  

Many wonder how we’ve ended up in this situation, with untenable levels of homelessness in one of the richest cities in the world. It is the result of failed policy choices and chronic underinvestment in support services. It’s the result of an affordable housing crisis that still is not under control, it’s the result of systemic racism, over-policing poor and racialized communities, and the criminalization of poverty, and inadequate investment in and levels of mental health support, and it’s the result of a toxic drug supply and failed war on drugs. 

The status quo is absolutely not working. But regressive motions and policy, gentrification, increased policing of marginalized communities, and pushing people into different cities are not going to solve the problem. 

Yesterday’s vote was a painful blow to our vulnerable neighbours and those who care deeply about them. As Executive Director Amanda Burrows noted in her address to Council, “Would our project not fit your criteria? A project like ours that’s going to house unhoused Indigenous neighbours of ours?” Our redevelopment will have 103 units of affordable housing for Indigenous people, of which 35 units will be supportive housing. All residents will have access to all of our programs—meals, legal advocacy, harm reduction supplies, tax support, essentials like toiletries and socks, informed referrals to other service providers—whether or not they’re in a supportive housing unit because we know that those supports provide dignity, belonging, and justice.  

There are countless individuals in Vancouver who know and believe this. Our letter writing campaign generated over 2100 signatures in opposition to the motion. In addition, the North Family Foundation has pledged a transformative $1 million donation to our redevelopment because of Council’s decision. 

“We need more essential services and supportive housing in Vancouver, not less. In light of recent news to pause life-saving supportive housing, our family is donating $1 million towards FIRST UNITED’s redevelopment project. Their project is creating space for desperately needed programs and services that help residents of the Downtown Eastside and is enabling affordable and supportive housing that is badly needed. There has never been a more urgent time for all sectors and communities to come together to respond to the complex crises in our city.” 

“The solution to our housing and homelessness crisis is compassion. It’s housing affordability. It’s bold political will and destigmatizing people who live in poverty, and working together across sectors and across party lines. It is not giving up hope. It’s rallying when the stakes are so high and lives are on the line.” – Heather Clarke, Board Chair 

We know there are a lot of people who are scared and disappointed. But please don’t lose hope. We need your continued support and there are ways for you to continue to advocate and make a difference. Continue to send letters using our platform—just because the vote is over doesn’t mean your voice isn’t important. We need to continue to apply pressure to the City and advocate for vulnerable communities. Follow along with us on social media and sign up for our emails to hear about our ongoing services and advocacy work in the Downtown Eastside. When our new building is completed late this year, we’ll need volunteers to help us carry out our mission and you can put yourself on the list for that today.  

Don’t lose momentum. Residents came together in a remarkable way over the past few weeks with their time, energy, voices, and dollars to ensure that everyone in Vancouver—regardless of income—has access to dignity, belonging, and justice.