Hello friends + families,
Here is an update on the BC Housing project + an immediate request for your engagement.
Last week City Planners announced two ineffectual changes to the application from the original:
1. The number of units will be reduced from 140 to 129 by removing one column of the building. The height of the building is not reduced and we understand the intent of this change is to make the building “look smaller and reduce the shadows on the school yard” but we have not been provided with a new design or shadow study. All 129 units will remain single occupancy studio apartments for adults.
2. Instead of 100% of the units being occupied at a “shelter” level of income assistance, 50% of the units will be tenanted at a “shelter” level of income assistance. The remaining 50% of units will be tenanted under the rents-gear-to-income program where tenants pay a maximum rent currently set at $719 per month (i.e., max $25,000 income).
This last component essentially places those essentially doing better with recovery, on stable or set income, mostly elders and those on disability pensions, shoulder to shoulder with those suffering from severe mental illness and addictions.
It is unacceptable.
Our key concerns, as outlined in our petition, remain unchanged.
The project is completely misaligned with public feedback of which 76% opposed and even more provided sensible, data driven recommendations to the proposal for its success of which none were incorporated.
We have been told that on May 17, City Councilors will vote to refer the rezoning application to a public hearing scheduled for late June. After May 17, City Councillors will be unable to discuss this matter publicly.
We Encourage YOU to Engage in 4 Ways:
Now – Letter/Emails Writing:
Write (email) City Councillors (again, if you have done so already) to voice your objections to the changed rezoning application before May 17th.
This is not meant to be an onerous task. Letters/emails do not have to be long. We ask that you consider these guidelines:
Keep your message short – 2 to 5 sentences is plenty.
Clearly state your position on the rezoning application
Indicate you have a connection to the neighbourhood or are impacted by public safety concerns city-wide.
Indicate you are a resident of Vancouver.
Use the email list below.
Now – Engage your Friends and Family
Identify 10-15 friends, family members and co-workers who you can inform about this process and invite them to participate and voice their opinions.
Late May/Early June – Letter Writing
Write to the City and City Councillors again once the public hearing date is set to record your opposition to the rezoning application.
Late June – Speak at the Public Hearing
Speak at the Public Hearing to voice your views on the rezoning application.
The Kits Coalition has done extensive research on this development and the rezoning application, and the information can be found on their site. You are welcome to visit the site as one source to help educate and inform yourselves ahead of speaking at the public hearing.
To Whom Do I Write/Email?
Write to City Councillors, the City of Vancouver and local MLAs to state your position, using this email list which you can copy and paste:
Kennedy.Stewart@vancouver.ca; CLRbligh@vancouver.ca; CLRboyle@vancouver.ca; CLRcarr@vancouver.ca; CLRdegenova@vancouver.ca; CLRdominato@vancouver.ca; CLRfry@vancouver.ca; CLRhardwick@vancouver.ca; CLRkirby-yung@vancouver.ca; CLRswanson@vancouver.ca; CLRwiebe@vancouver.ca; PMSHI.rezoning@vancouver.ca; AG.minister@gov.bc.ca; david.eby.mla@leg.bc.ca; george.heyman.mla@leg.bc.ca
City of Vancouver Council: Mayor Kennedy Stewart, Rebecca Bligh, Christine Boyle, Adriane Carr, Melissa DeGenova, Sarah Kirby-Yung, Lisa Dominato, Jean Swanson, Pete Fry, Colleen Hardwick, Michael Wiebe and the City’s Re-zoning Department
Provincial MLAs: Honourable David Eby (MLA Vancouver-Point Grey, Attorney General and Minister of Housing) and Honourable George Heyman (MLA Vancouver-Fairview)
Thank you, everyone.
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