VANCOUVER — An empty lot near the Olympic Village SkyTrain station has been identified as the future site for a 50-unit, temporary, modular-housing project.
In October, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson promised to build 1,000 new social and supportive housing units before the end of 2018 to address the immediate needs of Vancouver’s growing homeless population.
The new homes, which will be managed and staffed by a non-profit housing operator selected by B.C. Housing, would be funded through the B.C. government’s $66-million commitment to build temporary modular housing in Vancouver.
The West 2nd project is the fifth to be announced, with 260 units of temporary modular housing currently in the development process.
The City of Vancouver said the site, at 595 and 599 West 2nd Ave., will be subject to a development-permit application process and the city has begun to connect with neighbouring residents about the proposed plans.
City council approved its first modular-housing project in November when it gave the go-ahead to construct 78 units in Marpole. The temporary housing project, planned for the Pearson-Dogwood location at 650 West 57th Ave., was met with opposition from critics who argued the process was rushed and expressed concern about its proximity to a trio of schools: Sir Winston Churchill Secondary, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary and Ideal Mini School are all within a block of the project.
Vancouver previously built a temporary, modular-housing development of 40 units on city-owned land near Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The $3-million pilot project, which was co-funded by the federal government, opened last February at Main and Terminal streets.
Vancouver plans to add 72,000 new housing units over the next 10 years, including 12,000 supportive and social-housing units.
The latest count pegged Vancouver’s homeless population at about 2,100, with 600 living on the street and the rest in shelters.
