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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
June 22, 2004 | |
Author: |
Cameron Gray | |
Phone No.: |
7207 | |
RTS No.: |
04362 | |
CC File No.: |
4659 | |
Meeting Date: |
July 6 2004 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
Director of the Housing Centre in consultation with the Directors of Real Estate Services and Facilities Development |
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SUBJECT: |
Temporary Repairs - 1321 Richards St. |
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve temporary repairs to the heating and air conditioning systems and to the roof at 1321 Richards St., to enable it to reopen as a temporary cold/wet weather shelter, at a total estimated cost of $28,000 with funding to be provided from the 2004 Capital Plan allocation to the Affordable Housing Reserve.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of Recommendation A.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council's social housing objectives are to maintain and expand housing opportunities in Vancouver for low and modest income households with priority to be given to families with children; seniors on fixed incomes or in need of support; SRO residents; and the mentally ill, physically disabled, and others at risk of homelessness.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council approval for funding to undertake temporary repairs to the heating and air conditioning systems and to the roof of the City owned building at 1321 Richards St. so that it can reopen as a temporary shelter for the 2004/5 winter season.
BACKGROUND
The City purchased 1321 Richards St. (Drake and Richards) in 1997 for a future social housing development. The site is located in Downtown South and was purchased as part of the City's commitment to replace the low income housing in the area that may be lost as the area redevelops.
A social housing project at 1321 Richards was funded in 1999 through the HOMES BC program but the funding was cancelled when the program was cancelled in 2002.
Since 2001, the existing two-storey building at 1321 Richards St. has been used by St. James Community Service Society as a temporary shelter for women (20 beds) as part of the City and region's cold/wet weather (November to May) strategy.
DISCUSSION
Limited repairs have been undertaken to the building since it was purchased as it will eventually be demolished to make way for a low-income singles housing project. A Development Permit is in place for the social housing project to be developed on the site, and funding opportunities continue to be explored. However, repairs to the heating and air conditioning systems are required if the building is to continue to be used temporarily as a cold/wet weather shelter.
The cost of the temporary repairs, which would allow the building to be used as a shelter for the next 5 years or so, are estimated at $11,000 for the heating and air conditioning system and $15,000 for the roof. Including taxes, the total cost is estimated at $28,000. It is recommended that the City proceed with the repairs, as the social housing development proposed for the site will not proceed any sooner than next summer. The shelter beds at 1321 Richards are an important component of the winter temporary shelter strategy, and an investment of $28,000 in temporary repairs is appropriate. The source of funds would be the 2004 Capital Plan allocation to the Affordable Housing Reserve.
The temporary shelter at 1321 Richards has been funded through Human Resources Development Canada's Supporting Community Partnerships Initiatives, and St. James has submitted 1321 Richards for SCPI funding for the 2004/5 and 2005/6 winter seasons. If Council approves the funding for the repairs, they will be undertaken later this summer so the building is ready in time for the commencement of the cold/wet weather temporary shelter program in November.
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