A portion of the 21-acre Heather Lands development site is the latest location proposed for temporary modular housing in Vancouver.
If approved, property at 4949 Heather St. could house approximately 100 units for the homeless in two buildings, according to a June 7 press release from the City of Vancouver.
Last September, the provincial government announced $66 million for the City of Vancouver to build 600 units of temporary modular housing — a total of 2,000 units are being built across the province.
Vancouver's homeless count conducted over two days in March found there were 2,181 people living without a home — the highest the figure has been since data was first collected in 2005.
The Heather Lands proposal would bring the number of modular housing units to more than 500. Seven other sites are in various stages of development — 156 units are already open, while 46 units at Little Mountain were recently approved. Each complex features 24/7 support services.
Locations for the remaining units are expected to be announced before the end of the year.
Like the others, the site at 4949 Heather St. is subject to the development permit application process.
The city is getting in touch with residents, businesses, schools and community groups about the proposed plans.
Community information sessions will be held and the feedback that’s gathered will inform the Director of Planning’s decision about the development permit. The feedback will also provide BC Housing and the selected non-profit operator that will manage the complex with community feedback on the proposed operation of the buildings.
On May 15, the city approved the Heather Lands policy statement, which will guide growth and development on the sprawling property, which is between West 33rd and 37th at Heather Street.
Three First Nations — the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh — and Canada Lands Company are redeveloping it.
The new community being planned will include 2,500 new homes, in buildings ranging from three to 24 storeys, at least 40 per cent of which will be secured for either low- or moderate-income households, according to the policy statement.
The policy statement acknowledges that temporary uses such as modular housing, artist studios, farmers markets, sales centres, and community gardens may be accommodated to make efficient use of land and "activate" sites prior to redevelopment or during the construction phase, according to the city.
To date, temporary modular housing projects have attracted mixed reactions in Vancouver. The most vociferous opposition has been in Marpole where two buildings housing 78 units opened earlier this year.
A group that calls itself the Caring Citizens of Vancouver Society lobbied unsuccessfully against the project, including challenging the development permit process through the B.C. Supreme Court and the B.C. Court of Appeal.
The society is now seeking leave to appeal its case to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court of Canada website indicates the possibility of getting an appeal heard is “in general remote.” Only about 80 of roughly 600 leave applications that are submitted each year are granted.
Status of temporary modular housing projects in Vancouver:
Approved: 306 units
- 7430 and 7460 Heather St. (78 homes built and tenanted)
- 1131 Franklin St. (39 homes built and tenanted)
- 525 Powell St. (39 homes built and tenanted)
- 4480 (formerly 4410) Kaslo St. (52 homes under construction)
- 2132 Ash St. (formerly 595 and 599 West 2nd Avenue) (52 homes under construction)
- Little Mountain (46 homes approved)
Development permit stage: approximately 200 units
- 688 Cambie St. (approximately 100 homes, development permit has been submitted to the City)
- 4949 Heather St. (approximately 100 homes, pre-development permit application)
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