Housing First Vancouver
The Issue
The homelessness crisis in Vancouver has reached alarming levels and requires immediate action. The DTES, known for its high concentration of vulnerable people, is a stark reminder of the pressing need for change. It’s not just about people without homes; it's about an entire community grappling with poverty, mental health issues, and addiction.
We urgently need all levels of government to treat homelessness as the crisis it truly is and collaborate with our most vulnerable population to develop sustainable, long-term solutions.
We are asking the Federal government to provide more funding to the Provincial government to prioritize the Housing First model to increase the current Complex Care Housing units for the unhoused residents of the DTES.
Housing First Vancouver Steering Committee recommends creating 500 permanent adequate complex care housing units over 5 years to serve people who need a level of support that goes beyond what is currently available in SRO supportive housing.
We suggest renovating vacant SROs and acquiring several of the SROs in foreclosure for this purpose, without displacing current tenants. An SRO Acquisition Fund could be created allowing non-profit organizations to buy buildings that are offered for sale for the purpose of providing permanent adequate housing with in-house healthcare professionals.
Many of our unhoused residents, after going for detox treatment are walked back out to the streets without any housing options, often overdosing. This system is flawed and our people want and deserve better with more units made available with wraparound supports and more non-profits embracing the Housing First model. This is paramount in preventing more people from suffering homelessness and death.
The solutions are within our reach and we urge our elected officials to exhibit the political will necessary to effectuate real change and to speed up the development and implementation of the actionable Housing First model.
This will instill hope in our most vulnerable populations and pave the way for a better future for everyone in the DTES. Together, we can help create a community where everyone has a safe and stable place they call home.
We hereby sign this petition and add our voice to the call for action.
19
The Issue
The homelessness crisis in Vancouver has reached alarming levels and requires immediate action. The DTES, known for its high concentration of vulnerable people, is a stark reminder of the pressing need for change. It’s not just about people without homes; it's about an entire community grappling with poverty, mental health issues, and addiction.
We urgently need all levels of government to treat homelessness as the crisis it truly is and collaborate with our most vulnerable population to develop sustainable, long-term solutions.
We are asking the Federal government to provide more funding to the Provincial government to prioritize the Housing First model to increase the current Complex Care Housing units for the unhoused residents of the DTES.
Housing First Vancouver Steering Committee recommends creating 500 permanent adequate complex care housing units over 5 years to serve people who need a level of support that goes beyond what is currently available in SRO supportive housing.
We suggest renovating vacant SROs and acquiring several of the SROs in foreclosure for this purpose, without displacing current tenants. An SRO Acquisition Fund could be created allowing non-profit organizations to buy buildings that are offered for sale for the purpose of providing permanent adequate housing with in-house healthcare professionals.
Many of our unhoused residents, after going for detox treatment are walked back out to the streets without any housing options, often overdosing. This system is flawed and our people want and deserve better with more units made available with wraparound supports and more non-profits embracing the Housing First model. This is paramount in preventing more people from suffering homelessness and death.
The solutions are within our reach and we urge our elected officials to exhibit the political will necessary to effectuate real change and to speed up the development and implementation of the actionable Housing First model.
This will instill hope in our most vulnerable populations and pave the way for a better future for everyone in the DTES. Together, we can help create a community where everyone has a safe and stable place they call home.
We hereby sign this petition and add our voice to the call for action.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on August 5, 2026