ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 9, 1999

Author/Local: J. Davidson/7670

RTS No. 561
CC File No. 4664

Council: 23 March 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of the Housing Centre
SUBJECT:	Addition of Union Gospel Mission Housing Society and Mennonite Central Committee (BC) Social Housing Society to the List of Approved Sponsor Groups for Non-Market Housing

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the Union Gospel Mission Housing Society be added to the list of approved sponsor groups for non-market housing.

B. THAT the Mennonite Central Committee (BC) Social Housing Society be added to the list of approved sponsor groups for non-market housing.

GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of A and B.

COUNCIL POLICY

On January 15, 1991, Council directed “that approval of the list of potential sponsor and resource groups for 1991 not preclude applications from other groups during the year if they conform to the evaluation criteria”.

On April 13, 1993, Council adopted the 1993 list of potential sponsor and resource groups for non-market housing.

DISCUSSION

The City maintains a list of potential sponsors for non-market housing on City-owned or controlled sites. This is based on the 1993 list and is updated as new societies make requests for inclusion.

The applications are evaluated using Council approved criteria and weighting system. The key factors below are considered:

- Society Credentials
- Housing Expertise and Management Philosophy
- Projects Operated by Society
- Links with Community or Neighbourhood Organizations
- Housing Needs and Waiting List of Prospective Tenants
- Housing Project Proposed
- Building Site Identified

A score of at least 70 points is required to recommend inclusion.

Union Gospel Mission Society was established in 1949 and the Housing Society in 1980. The former currently operates a 31 unit project at 616 East Cordova Street. The Mission provides counselling to residents, the majority of whom suffer from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. The Society also operates a 75 unit family social housing project in Surrey. It is interested in sponsoring an alcohol and drug-free housing project in Vancouver.

The Mennonite Central Committee (BC) Social Housing Society has 8 social housing projects in the Lower Mainland, one of which, Charleswood Court, is a family project in Vancouver on City leased land. It is interested in being considered for a City-controlled site in Yaletown Pacific Place.

Both Union Gospel Mission Housing Society and Mennonite Central Committee (BC) Social Housing Society scored above the 70 point minimum and staff recommend their inclusion on the list.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver