Advocacy Issues

“I had to sell all of my belongings and now I live in my vehicle, as I need to stay in the lower mainland but cannot find a house in my price range that will accept a pet.”

No one should have to choose between their pet and their home. But in BC 1.6 million renters bear the brunt of the housing crisis and with the lack of affordable housing options, there are even fewer for people who have pets.

The lack of pet-friendly rental options in BC is a barrier to safe housing for pet owners, especially those with lower incomes.

Pets are valued and loved members of many households across the province. Because of the physical and emotional benefits of pet ownership as well as the health and accessibility aspects, restricting pets in rentals is a fairness and human rights concern.

The lack of pet-friendly rental housing was a common theme we found in our BC Eviction Mapping Project. Tenants reported displacement, downsizing and even homelessness due to not being able to find housing that would accommodate their pet.

“[I had] Difficulty finding somewhere to move that allowed pets, had to move to a rougher neighbourhood, further away from work.”

In the BC NDP’s 2024 provincial election campaign, Premier David Eby promised to “stop pet evictions in purpose-built rentals” and recognized that no person should have to choose between their pet and their home.

We call on the provincial government to uphold that promise and prohibit pet bans in rentals. This will help protect the most vulnerable tenants, uphold their rights, and save them from having to choose between safe housing options or homelessness.

“The worst part this time around is that I think [I] have to leave my dog for a few months … We’re looking for pet friendly housing, but I just can’t afford the upfront costs all at once right now when inflation is hitting so hard.”

Use your voice and join us to stand up for tenants and pets across BC. Send a letter to your MLA asking them to prohibit restrictions on pets in any rental housing with five or more units.

You can read more about our suggestions for amendments to the RTA, outlined in our new law reform platform.

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A message from the FIRST UNITED Social Justice Committee

You’ve helped us advocate for issues that affect the community we serve in the Downtown Eastside, including affordable housing and safe supply. Thank you for using your voices to push for change.

The next step you can take is to vote in the upcoming Vancouver by-election, happening on April 5. With important issues on the line, the stakes are high.

Voting is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference in your community. Right now, there has never been a more important time to exercise your democratic rights. FIRST UNITED has been serving the DTES community, including those who live in poverty, have mental health challenges, and people who use drugs, for over a century. Elections are a way to stand up for our community on the issues that impact people directly.

In this by-election, you’ll be voting to fill two vacant City Council seats. Get informed about each candidate and where they stand on issues that are important to you. Read more about each candidate by clicking the links provided here.

Ahead of the by-election, there are still a few all-candidate meetings happening in the city in case you haven’t had a chance to attend yet:

• Sunday, March 30 at 1:30pm-3:00pm at St. James Community Square regarding the Jericho Lands ODP
• Tuesday, April 1 from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Kerrisdale Community Centre Association

Make sure to ask questions about their stances on:

• Supportive housing and plans for more affordable housing in Vancouver.
• The Downtown Eastside and creating safety and dignity for those experiencing homelessness and poverty.
• The toxic drug supply and our need for increased investment in harm reduction and safe supply.
• Reconciliation, Indigenous rights and prioritizing Indigenous voices.

Your vote is important and will influence the future of the city. Thank you.

The FIRST UNITED Social Justice Committee
Jerome Bonneric
Jean Budden
Heather Clarke
Elizabeth KerklaanKatie Koncan
Marcia Lopez
Chris Wrightson

Mayor Ken Sim wants to stop new supportive housing projects from being built in the City of Vancouver. On Wednesday, February 26, the motion “Temporarily Pausing Net-New Supportive Housing Investments in Vancouver to Prioritize Replacing Existing Stock and Promoting Regional Equity” is going to City Council for discussion and vote. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard on an important issue that will impact thousands in our community, and we need you to join us.

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that “safe, stable and dignified housing is a fundamental necessity for individuals facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders”. As homelessness increases and affordability worsens, now is not the time to inhibit the building of new supportive housing stock. 

Supportive housing makes communities safer. 
Supportive housing is part of the solution to homelessness. 
Supportive housing helps people escape the cycle of poverty. 

Send a pre-written email below to tell Mayor Sim and City Council that you DO NOT support this motion. Tell them that you believe Vancouver and surrounding municipalities in the region need to proactively and urgently build more supportive housing. 

Read more about the issue and the benefits of supportive housing in our op-ed “Safer Communities Start with Supportive Housing”, co-written with the Vancity Community Foundation. 

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