Advocacy Issues

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. 

If you do not see the form to send your letter, please refresh your browser.

Urge party leaders to adopt a position supportive of vacancy control and develop a bolder plan to ensure tenants aren’t evicted in bad faith.

BC tops two undesirable lists: the eviction capital of Canada and the most unaffordable housing in Canada. Rent is out of control, but it doesn’t have to be. FIRST UNITED is a provincial leader in housing justice. Through our extensive research and expertise we have developed a comprehensive law reform platform that protects tenants, reduces community displacement, and prevents homelessness. Earlier in 2024, the provincial government adopted several of FIRST UNITED’s recommendations. However, one recommendation that has not yet been accepted is vacancy control. Vacancy control has the potential to make the greatest impact for the most people in BC.

Vacancy control is when the allowable annual rent increases apply to the rental unit, regardless of a change of landlord or tenant. Right now, landlords are strongly incentivized to evade rent control by forcing tenant turnover through bad-faith evictions. Through evictions, landlords can increase rent by unlimited amounts. We see this happen across the province. Seniors, people of colour, LGBTQ2S+, and low-income people are at highest risk of homelessness and displacement through these bad-faith evictions, but people of all walks of life and incomes are negatively impacted.

Vacancy control will disincentivize that. It will stabilize rents and prevent people from all walks of life from becoming homeless. This is what’s needed.

Send a letter to provincial party leaders to let them know that you will vote for a party that demonstrates commitment to safe and affordable homes for everyone. The letter will be addressed to:

1. Premier David Eby, BC NDP
2. John Rustad, Conservative Party of BC
3. Sonia Furstenau, Green Party of BC

This letter writing campaign is now closed. As of October 29, 2024, a total of 99 letters were sent to Premier David Eby (BC NDP), John Rustad (Conservative Party of BC), and Sonia Furstenau (Green Party of Canada). Below are the contents of the original letter:

Dear Party Leader,

BC is the eviction capital and the least affordable province for housing in Canada. Housing affordability is out of control and we need clear and bold action now.

I believe in housing policy that allows for everyone to have access to a safe and affordable home. I will vote for a party that demonstrates that commitment in the upcoming election.

That’s why I’m calling on your party to adopt a position supportive of vacancy control and develop a bolder plan to ensure tenants aren’t evicted in bad faith.

Right now, landlords are strongly incentivized to evade rent control by forcing tenant turnover through bad-faith evictions. Through evictions, landlords can increase rent by unlimited amounts. We see this happen across the province. Seniors, people of colour, LGBTQ2S+, and low-income people are at highest risk of homelessness and displacement through these bad-faith evictions, but people of all walks of life and incomes are negatively impacted.

Vacancy control will disincentivize that. It will stabilize rents and prevent people from all walks of life from becoming homeless. This is what’s needed.

People across the province and income spectrum are struggling to pay rent. We need immediate action now.

Sincerely,
[Name]