Vancouver City Council

Motion on Notice

Submitted by Councillor Sullivan for Regular Council Meeting of Tuesday, May 4, 2004

1. Options for Allowing Smaller Suites

MOVER: Councillor Sullivan
SECONDER: Councillor

WHEREAS,

Vancouver has over 1,000 homeless people living on its streets.

Many homeless people suffer from mental illnesses, drug addiction and other illnesses that are exacerbated by not having social housing.

Current levels of senior government funding for non-market housing will not result in enough conventionally-sized affordable housing suites to accommodate the homelessness emergency facing the City of Vancouver;

Current Vancouver policies discourage the building of suites smaller than 400 square feet.

The City of Vancouver has 6,300 SRO apartments that range from 100 sq. feet.

Vancouver City Council has recently imposed a fine of $5,000 per room for any investor who wants to upgrade or convert the use of SRO apartments away from residential use and only 14% of the total SRO stock is considered to be in decent condition.

Allowing smaller rooms could make it possible to provide housing for homeless people at a cost that would be covered by the current welfare housing allowance of $325 per month.

Living in a small suite that is warm and dry and has basic amenities is preferable to living outside on the street, in a tent in a park, in a shelter, or in an SRO room.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

THAT staff include options on allowing smaller suites throughout the city as part of the upcoming report on homelessness.

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