Vancouver unveils latest modular housing proposal

VANCOUVER – The City of Vancouver is planning to add 50 more temporary modular homes to its list.

The site is the city’s fifth such project to be announced, with 260 units of temporary modular housing currently in the development process.

The projects are part of an initiative in Vancouver that will see homeless residents placed directly into housing with supportive services.
The city aims to create a total of 600 new homes.

The site, located at 595 and 599 West 2nd Ave., still has yet to go through the city’s development permit application process.

The city also plans to hold community information sessions with local residents, businesses, schools and key community groups.
Feedback gathered from the community engagement will inform the director of planning’s consideration of the development permit and also provide BC

Housing and the selected non-profit operator with community feedback on the proposed operation of the building.

The city plans to fund the project through the province’s $66 million commitment to build temporary modular housing.

The program in Vancouver is part of a larger initiative led by the BC government, through BC Housing, to build 2,000 units of temporary modular housing across the province.

It is expected that the proposed site would accommodate about 50 units and would be managed by a non-profit housing operator selected by BC Housing.

The non-profit housing operator would staff the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with support services available to all tenants.
According to the city, temporary modular housing is one way to address immediate housing needs while permanent housing is being built.

From last fall until the end of this year, 1,000 new social and supportive housing units are expected to open across Vancouver.

As part of the Housing Vancouver strategy, the city has a target of 12,000 new units of permanent social and supportive housing over the next 10 years.
The city also works together with BC Housing to open 300 temporary shelter spaces during the winter as a way for those living on the street to get out of the cold.