|
CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
September 10, 2004 | |
Author: |
Annitta Lee | |
Phone No.: |
871-6025 | |
RTS No.: |
04456 | |
CC File No.: |
4551 | |
Meeting Date: |
September 28, 2004 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
Director of Housing Centre |
SUBJECT: |
Housing Agreement - 663 Gore Avenue |
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the housing agreement for 663 Gore Avenue summarized in this report be approved in principle, subject to finalization to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and Director of the Housing Centre, provided that this resolution does not create any legal rights or obligation and none shall arise until the agreement as authorized by by-law is signed.
B. THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to bring forward a by-law to authorized the housing agreement.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of A and B.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council's housing priorities are to maintain and expand housing opportunities in Vancouver for low and modest income households with priority being 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.
BACKGROUND
A development application (DE407974) is being processed for construction of a 4-storey building containing one level of retail and 15 residential units. The site is situated at the corner of Georgia and Gore Avenue in HA-1A and is vacant. The proposal provides 2 residential parking stalls and requires a parking relaxation of 9 stalls. The Director of Planning has approved the development application, subject to a number of conditions, including entering into a housing agreement to secure a housing benefit.
The development permit is issuable, subject to the completion of the housing agreement.
DISCUSSION
Section 565.2 of the Vancouver Charter enables Council to authorize the City, through a by-law, to enter into a housing agreement providing affordable and special needs housing.
Rental housing is an important part of Vancouver's housing stock. Vancouver's vacancy rates in the private rental market have been very low. In the last ten years, these have never risen above 1.6% during the fall of each year. In addition, very little new "purpose-built" rental housing projects have been built. Housing agreements are one way to increase the rental housing stock. This project is located within the area of the draft Downtown Eastside Housing Plan, which recommends more rental housing for the area.
The proposed housing agreement will secure 14 units of rental housing for seniors for 15 years. Affordability will be achieved by requiring tenants to be in receipt of SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters). SAFER is a Provincial program which provides rent supplements to seniors aged 60 or over and who pay more than 30% of total income for rent. To be eligible for SAFER, maximum annual income is $19,000 for singles and $21,000 for couples.
The housing agreement will allow the building to be stratified, but all units must be owned by a single owner. Therefore, the units will remain rental for the period of the housing agreement.
The major features of the proposed housing agreement are noted below:
1. All units will be rental tenure for a period of 15 years (rental period);
2. During the rental period, fourteen of the fifteen units will be occupied by seniors in receipt of the Province of British Columbia SAFER (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters) Program. The remaining one dwelling unit will be rented to a Resident Manager on terms and conditions determined by the Owner;
3. Single residents shall not be charged a monthly rent greater than $700;
4. Cohabiting residents shall not be charged a monthly rent greater than $800;
5. Rent may be increased by a certain percentage which is the change in CPI for the preceding 12 months expressed as a percentage.
6. During the rental period, all fifteen residential units may be stratified, but if so, shall be held by the same owner(s), and no separate transfers (sales) will be allowed;
7. Term of the housing agreement: 15 years.
The housing agreement will be second priority on title subject to the first mortgage.
The housing agreement requires that a by-law be passed by Council, and this will be brought forward shortly.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that Council approve the housing agreement, in principle, in that the housing benefits meet City objectives and justify the parking relaxation.
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