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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
January 11, 2005 | |
Author: |
Cameron Gray | |
Phone No.: |
7207 | |
RTS No.: |
04797 | |
CC File No.: |
2005 | |
Meeting Date: |
February 1, 2005 |
TO: |
Vancouver City Council |
FROM: |
The Director of the Housing Centre |
SUBJECT: |
Grant to the Salvation Army for Transitional Housing |
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve a grant of $100,000 to the Salvation Army for the expansion of their transitional housing program for women fleeing abuse, with funding to be provided from the 2004 Capital Plan allocation to the Affordable Housing Fund.
As a grant is recommended, 8 votes of Council are required.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The City Manager recommends approval of the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council's social housing objectives 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.
PURPOSE
This report recommends a grant of $100,000 to the Salvation Army for the expansion of their transitional housing program for women fleeing abuse.
DISCUSSION
The Salvation Army has been providing transitional housing for women fleeing abuse for several decades. They wish to replace Kate Booth House, an older building which has a capacity for 12 women, with a new building with a capacity for 25. Last year, over 80% of the women seeking admission to Kate Booth House had to be turned away because there was no room, typical for transition housing in the region serving women fleeing abuse. During construction, the transitional housing operation will be temporarily relocated to the Salvation Army's Belkin House.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $4,500,000. The Salvation Army has raised $1,127,600 in cash and will contribute the site worth $2,000,000; Human Resources Skills Development Canada through its Supporting Community Partnerships Initiative will contribute $750,000; and BC Housing will contribute $400,000. It is recommended that the City, as part of its on-going affordable housing partnership with the Federal Government and the Province of BC., contribute to the project with a grant of $100,000 with funding to be provided from the 2004 Capital Plan allocation to the Affordable Housing Fund.
The project is out for tender and construction is scheduled to commence in February for completion late this year.
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