ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 18, 2000
Author/Local: J. Davidson/7670
RTS No.01217
CC File No. 1364
Council Date: February 1, 2000

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of the Housing Centre
SUBJECT:	Housing Planning Analyst Position

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve extension of the temporary full time Planning Analyst position in the Housing Centre for 24 months to January 2002, at a cost of approximately $55,000 annually, funding to be provided from the annual operating budget.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing. The work on the Downtown Eastside and social housing development are important initiatives for the City.

BACKGROUND

This position was originally created in January 1998 on a 6 month basis and has been extended several times since then. The staff in this position have assisted with the completion of the draft Downtown Eastside et al Housing Plan, social housing project developments, and done research on homelessness and other housing topics.

DISCUSSION

The Housing Centre needs the continuing contribution of a Planning Analyst to perform a number of assignments. The two key areas are:

Affordable Housing Developments
BC Housing has doubled their allocation for this year for social housing and combined next year’s allocation with this year’s. In effect the number of allocations has quadrupled, dramatically increasing the number of social housing projects in the City. This is positive for the City as a whole, but does have staffing implications. Currently there are about thirty social housing projects in the development process system, about twenty on City land. BC Housing has noted some urgency in processing these projects expeditiously, so that their funding can be assured. Many of these projects are complex, such as Mole Hill and Coal Harbour/Affordable Housing, and require extra staff attention. In addition there are about 10 development applications which are special needs housing or require housing agreements, and more are expected to be submitted.

Downtown Eastside Housing Plan/Issues
The work programme for the Community Revitalization/Vancouver Agreement, was approved by the Downtown Eastside Steering Committee on November 26, 1999. It includes housing policy discussions with the communities. This will be very intense and will involve innovative forms of public consultation including round-tables. An Analyst is needed to provide research on the issues, assist in arranging meetings, and providing information to the public. Because of the nature of the community consultation, skills in Chinese translation will be particularly useful for the entire team.

In addition to these two major areas, the Housing Centre needs a Planning Analyst to research information, respond to public inquiries about housing projects and policies, analyse housing data, prepare fact sheets, etc.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

A review has been undertaken to determine if the position could be funded from within the existing Community Services budget. Unfortunately there is no funding available to be transferred to this position. The potential has also been explored for existing positions to absorb some of the Planning Analyst responsibilities. However staff are fully occupied with existing assignments and fully booked in the foreseeable future.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for this position to meet the City’s commitment to social housing allocations and Downtown Eastside initiatives.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver