The controversial development will go ahead after the B.C. government explored five other potential sites and found that original location was the best option.
A controversial supportive housing development will go ahead in Richmond after the province explored five other potential sites in the community and found that the original location remained the best option.
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The six-storey 90-unit project was halted just before the provincial election in October after facing significant community backlash last summer, with about 500 residents protesting and voicing concerns about its location at Cambie and Sexsmith.
On Thursday, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon announced the province’s decision to restart the project, noting it’s “crucial … to deal with the growing number of people facing homelessness in Richmond.”
Kahlon said the decision to continue at 3780 Sexsmith Rd. came after the province looked at five other sites in Richmond but that none met the requirements of the project due to location, lot size or proximity to supportive services.
“These are important factors that support residents’ abilities to stabilize their lives, successfully integrate within the community and access required services,” Kahlon said. “Furthermore, shifting to a new location at this stage would require new project designs, adding significant delays to project completion.”
Kahlon said homelessness in the city had increased 91 per cent since COVID-19, with the city’s latest count reporting 160 people as being unhoused. Two other temporary supportive housing sites in Richmond, one on Smith Street and another on Alderbridge Way, have also had their leases extended until 2027 as the province tries to make progress on the Sexsmith site.
The proposed project is in the Richmond-Bridgeport riding of MLA Teresa Wat, who announced over the summer that she was leaving B.C. United to seek re-election under the Conservatives. Her party mates, Hon Chan and Steve Kooner, were also elected in Richmond.
Kelly Greene is the only NDP MLA in Richmond, in Richmond-Steveston, after party mate Henry Yao lost his seat to Chan.
Kahlon said that he paused the supportive housing project after Yao and Greene had contacted him to say there was a lot of concern around the development, in particular for its location and lack of consultation.
Kahlon said the province will talk with neighbourhood residents next month in a number of sessions. Information for those will be sent to neighbours, inviting them for “an opportunity to further discuss the project.”
“We will also continue working with city staff and stakeholders to safely integrate this housing into the community,” Kahlon said.
Kahlon said the final decision would remain with Richmond city council. Kahlon also urged residents to be wary of “misinformation” about the project, and instead to seek information directly from B.C. Housing or at the engagement sessions planned for next month.
He said the project would include 24/7 staffing and security, cleanup teams to maintain the premises and surrounding area, and a dedicated phone line to handle complaints and concerns from neighbours.
With files from David Carrigg