Federal funding creates additional rapid homes in Vancouver

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, along with Kennedy Stewart, Mayor of Vancouver, announced that thanks to the support of the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), the City of Vancouver has purchased a property at 205 Kingsway that will provide approximately 68 supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness.

The building is the second hotel that the City has purchased using $51.5 million of funding provided by the Government of Canada. The City also took ownership of a property at 2075 Kingsway in February and this will provide approximately 65 homes.

Supportive homes such as these help people move inside and access the necessities of life such as food, washrooms and laundry, as well as connections to vital services.

Both of the purchased properties require renovations. It is anticipated that people will be able to move into 205 Kingsway in the summer and 2075 Kingsway will open to tenants in the winter.

These properties are the latest step that the City, Province and Federal government is taking to address the critical needs of people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver.

Both this property and 2075 Kingsway will be managed by experienced and professional non-profit operators. The Province will support the new housing with annual operating funding over 20 years.

Including the two Kingsway properties, the hotel purchases recently announced by the federal and provincial governments, and the new temporary shelter spaces coming to the City, there will be nearly 450 available supportive homes and indoor spaces, in addition to the 450 supportive homes already on the way. This builds on the nearly 1,000 supportive homes opened in Vancouver over the last three years.

Quotes:

“Our Government wants to ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Investments with the City of Vancouver under the Rapid Housing Initiative’s Major Cities Stream will go a long way to effectively support those who need it most by quickly providing new affordable homes to vulnerable individuals and families to keep them safe. The purchase of this property will rapidly create housing for those that need it most across the city. This is the National Housing Strategy at work!”

“We know there’s an urgent need to deliver homes with supports for people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver. Homelessness is a crisis, and housing is the solution. It is a pleasure to work with multiple levels of government in finding solutions to get people inside and supported with the urgency this crisis deserves.”

“Today’s announcement is another shining example of what happens when the Federal Government teams up directly with cities like Vancouver to help people who need it most. But housing alone is never enough, and that’s why I am also grateful for the ongoing support of the Province of British Columbia in funding the critical supports and services that help put our neighbours on a pathway of health and hope. Breaking the cycle of homelessness can be done; it just takes partnerships like these.”

Quick facts:

• The Government of Canada acknowledges that this project is located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
• Under the Major Cities Stream of funding, $500 million is allocated to pre-identified municipalities with the highest levels of renters in severe housing need and people experiencing homelessness. Municipalities can flow funds through a third-party (including a provincial or territorial government).
• Under the Projects Stream $500 million was available through an application-based process, which closed on December 31, 2020. Funding was available to Provinces, Territories, and Municipalities, Indigenous governing bodies and organizations, and non-profit organizations.
• RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and others who are among the most vulnerable, including: women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people dealing with mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ2+, racialized groups, Black Canadians, and recent immigrants or refugees.
• Canada's National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home — this includes more than $12 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.
• The 2020 Fall Economic Statement proposes to increase the lending capacity of the existing National Housing Strategy’s Rental Construction Financing Initiative by an additional $12 billion over seven years. This new funding will enable CMHC to support the construction of an additional 28,500 purpose-built rental housing units across Canada.

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

To find out more about these projects and other supportive housing initiatives, visit Vancouver.ca/supportive-housing.

Media contacts:

Mikaela Harrison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
mikaela.harrison@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Leonard Catling
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
lcatling@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

City of Vancouver
Civic Engagement and Communications
media@vancouver.ca