I am writing to share with you an update from the Call For Change Coalition, of which we are a partner, standing strong alongside the Kitsilano Coalition.
They have an URGENT Request.
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Hello Friends and Neighbours,
This Wednesday 26th of February, a motion named “Temporary Pausing Net-New Supportive Housing Investments in Vancouver to Prioritize Replacing Existing Stock and Promoting Regional Equity”, will be tabled at City of Vancouver Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities Meeting at 9:30am.
We need your support to write in to express your SUPPORT for this motion, (City form below), before the deadline of Tuesday February 25th 5pm to register to speak if possible on Wednesday February 26th, in SUPPORT of this motion.
The motion proposes pausing new supportive housing investments in Vancouver to focus on replacing old, unsafe buildings and ensure that the distribution of supportive housing is beyond largely just Vancouver. It also urges the government to invest in mental health services and expand housing options.
It’s worth noting that 77% of supportive housing in the Province is located in Vancouver and this is disproportionate to the 25% population in Vancouver. This motion is intended to urge the Province and other municipalities to address the needs around the Province/Region. The current disparity in Vancouver, forces people to have to move to Vancouver for support and housing instead of receiving the necessary support in their home communities.
Read more about the motion here: https://council.vancouver.ca/20250226/documents/pspcmotion3.pdf
With urgency, we call for your support for this motion, as it is the first time we are seeing City of Vancouver, propose a motion, that initially aligns with our Call for Change, that we published in partnership with communities across the Province last October. Our Call for Change, emphasizes a shift away from high density low-barrier congregate housing with open drug consumption, to recovery-oriented independent housing and programs across the Province.
More details are available at Call4Change.ca
Urgent Call to Action by Tuesday February 25th 5pm
Send a written comment to the City to SUPPORT this motion or sign up to speak. See instructions below.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR WRITING IN A COMMENT IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOTION :
Note: Comments submitted by 5pm on Tuesday Feb 25th, will be included in the following day’s meeting. Comments after 5pm may not make it on time, but please submit if that’s your only option. In the event the meeting extends to another day, an opportunity to submit written comments will then be available up until 5pm on the day before the meeting, on the same link above.
Click here to provide a written comment to Council
-Click “Send comments to Council”
-Scroll down and select, “Feedback on an upcoming Council meeting agenda item”
-Select in the pull down menu, “February 26 Standing Committee: Council Members’ Motion 3. Temporarily Pausing Net-New Supportive Housing Investments in Vancouver..
-Click “Support”
-In the box “Provide details,” write in your comment to the City. This could be as simple a comment as “I support this motion”
-Select in the pull down menu, your “Neighbourhood”
-Fill in your contact information: Name, Email (optional) and Phone number (optional).
Note: Individual Letters to Councillors will not count towards the tally for this motion, therefore please send your comments via the link above.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING UP TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS MOTION:
Click here to sign up to speak to Council
-Click “Request to speak”
-Select “Motion 3. Temporary Pausing Net-New Supportive Housing Investments in Vancouver to Prioritize Replacing Existing Stock and Promoting Regional Equity”
-Select “Support”
-Select “By phone” or “In person”
-Select whether you wish “to having your name included in the speakers list that will be made publicly”
-Fill in your contact information: Full name, email, phone number
-Select whether you are speaking on behalf of a group of 3 or more people
-Select whether you are a resident of Vancouver
-Click the arrow on the bottom right to finish.
Sign up to speak about this item by 5pm Tuesday February 25th. Requests to speak will not be accepted after 5pm. In the event the meeting extends to another day, an opportunity to sign up to speak will then be available on the same link above.
Relevant Links and Media
Global News: Vancouver to transform Downtown Eastside by pausing social housing, cracking down on crime - Vancouver to transform Downtown Eastside by pausing social housing, cracking down on crime - BC | Globalnews.ca
Thank you for your time and attention on this matter.
As always,
Parents For Thoughtful City Planning