Vancouver council moves to fast-track social housing projects, orders additional report
A motion that would see social housing projects fast-tracked across Vancouver received unanimous support at Wednesday’s council meeting.
Coun. Christine Boyle’s proposal would allow city staff to approve non-market housing developments of up to 12 storeys in any neighbourhood, without the need for rezoning or public hearings.
While the motion received unanimous support, an amendment from ABC Coun. Mike Klassen means it won't move forward until staff can research the potential impacts of the proposal.
"I'm delighted that it passed and I think it sends a really important signal to people who are living in unstable housing, people who are struggling to continue to call Vancouver home," Boyle said after the vote.
"We need to keep moving it forward, and we need to keep moving it forward urgently."
The councillor stressed that she's grateful for support from the ABC-majority council, noting that a similar motion she introduced last year was defeated.
"The last council didn't even have the courage to move it forward," she added.
Boyle said there has been "strong support" for her proposal from the community housing sector, which has been calling on officials to make it easier to build co-op, mixed-income and non-profit buildings in Vancouver.
After a staff report including the potential impacts is delivered to council, which is expected to happen early next year, council will still have to hold a public hearing as the motion requires a zoning change, Boyle said.
Correction
A previous version of this story incorrectly reported that Coun. Mike Klassen's amendments required an additional report.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.