Vancouver Council Votes to Pause New Supportive Housing Developments
(Image: Coastal Front)
Vancouver City Council has voted to temporarily halt new supportive housing developments, shifting focus to renewing aging stock and pushing for a greater regional share of housing for vulnerable residents.
The motion, introduced by Mayor Ken Sim, passed in a 6-3 vote Wednesday evening. Sim cited concerns that Vancouver is disproportionately housing the region’s most vulnerable populations, with the city accounting for 77 percent of Metro Vancouver’s supportive housing and 67 percent of shelter spaces despite representing only 25 percent of the regional population.
“For too long, Vancouver has shouldered more than its fair share of the region’s supportive housing, yet conditions in the Downtown Eastside continue to deteriorate,” Sim said. “The current system isn’t working—not for our most vulnerable residents, not for the communities supporting them, and not for the city as a whole.”
The motion prioritizes replacing unlivable single-room occupancy (SRO) units, converting modular housing into permanent units, and expanding programs that help individuals transition from supportive housing into social or rental housing.
However, the plan has drawn criticism. ABC Vancouver Councillor Lisa Dominato, who voted against the motion alongside Green Councillor Pete Fry and former ABC Councillor Rebecca Bligh, warned the decision could “likely exacerbate homelessness” and that it was unclear which projects would be affected. She also raised concerns about the lack of consultation with non-profit housing providers.
“There was no consultation with the non-profit housing sector providers,” Dominato said. “The narrow scope of this motion, while I understand the intent of having exemptions, is actually stigmatizing.”
The pause does not apply to housing for seniors, women and families, youth aging out of care, healthcare-related housing, or social housing with occasional supports. Projects already under construction, applications submitted within six months, and initiatives replacing existing units will also proceed as planned.
Council has directed city staff to provide biannual reports tracking regional progress on supportive housing and homelessness, aiming to hold other municipalities accountable for contributing to the region’s housing needs.
