If he didn't know it already Premier Gordon Campbell got a lesson this week on how it is better to give than to receive.

Here is a politician who has never been all that popular. But he has been getting the tar kicked out of him ever since he took back an election promise not to implement the harmonized sales tax (HST). He told CBC TV National News this week "the only thing more unpopular than the HST is me."

Campbell has been held in such low regard he couldn't even get a bounce out of the very successful 2010 Olympic Games.

Then we come to this week's announcement that the province--finally--is throwing in another $205 million to fund the construction of more supportive housing on the remaining eight of the city's 14 sites. And suddenly, if for only a moment, he's a great guy, a guy who cares. And Campbell's would-be successor, Housing Minister Rich Coleman, the tough ex-cop from the Fraser Valley gets another chance to prove he has a heart, too.

This is good news for Vancouver, not that Campbell's popularity may rise, but that there will be more than 1,000 new housing units for Vancouver's homeless, many of whom still spend their nights on the street.

Unlike the decrepit, pest-infested and frequently dangerous Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels many of our poorest citizens are forced to live in, these new buildings will be most welcoming. Aside from the fact they will be new construction, non-profit societies operating the buildings will provide support for residents who are drug addicted and/or mentally ill.

The 14 sites were identified during Sam Sullivan's term as mayor. But the pipeline for money from Victoria seemed to plug up soon after Coleman made some early commitments on the first six buildings.

In fact, much of the funding commitment for the remainder is tied up with another project at Little Mountain. It was Victoria's plan to sell that property at 33rd and Ontario and put half the revenue into these remaining eight sites. Tuesday's announcement suggests a deal has taken place. [See related Little Mountain story on page 12.]

The other interesting wrinkle in this deal, which also hails back to Sullivan's time in office, is the promised contribution of $20 million towards the construction from the Streetohome Foundation. This organization was the brainchild of former city manager Ken Dobell and consultant Don Fairbairn. They were hired by then city manager Judy Rogers in an attempt to get the city out of the chronic homelessness problem facing Vancouver. Dobell and Fairbairn concluded that the private sector had to get involved. Streetohome was born.

Part of the deal was to get the private donors in Streetohome a special federal tax break for their contributions. Streetohome also originally planned to buy buildings on its own. Neither of those things happened. But the organization's board, which includes Vancity CEO Tamara Vrooman, decided to carry on in its mission. That included some money for the HEAT shelters. (Just so you know, I am now on the Vancity board.)

Essentially what they have decided to do in the end is throw their money in with the province. That is why mining magnate Frank Giustra ponied up the first $5 million this week. The remaining money has yet to be raised.

Why the province finally decided to move is still unclear. One bit of spin has it that the private sector money was put on the table enabling Coleman to placate his up-country cabinet colleagues somewhat about more money going to Vancouver. There is also, I am told, a future announcement from the city to help Victoria with capital commitments. And there is what Coleman was finally able to squeeze out of the Little Mountain deal.

Regardless, the deal appears done. Campbell gets a moment of glory and Vancouver's Mayor Gregor Robertson can claim a great leg up on dealing with homelessness.

agarr@vancourier.com