The City of North Vancouver has announced a one-time grant of up to $360,000 to support residents who remain without housing after two devastating fires in December 2022.
More than half of the 152 City residents who lost their homes have found permanent housing, successfully transitioning off temporary Emergency Support Services funding made possible through the Government of British Columbia. That funding expires on February 15.
For the remaining displaced individuals, the challenge of record-low vacancy rates and an increased cost of living creates an unprecedented need for continued support.
“Access to affordable housing is a right we all share,” said City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan. “For years we have been in an affordability crisis that has left many without the housing options they need. This is particularly true for the more than 150 people that found themselves without a home a week before the holidays. A crisis of this magnitude has not been seen in our community in recent memory. That’s why we are supporting those impacted with this one-time grant. Helping our neighbours transition into housing and rebuild their lives is the right thing to do.”
Hollyburn Community Services Society, a North Shore non-profit organization experienced in supporting individuals and families through various support services, including housing and counselling, will steward the grant using industry standards for eligibility and support.
The program aims to assist eligible displaced residents in securing housing so they can re-establish their lives and routines (attending school, returning to work, and engaging with community support) as quickly as possible. It will also provide the guidance and time they need to recover and adapt independently to current market rental rates.
“This has been a challenging winter for those who lost their homes,” added Mayor Buchanan. “I want to thank the province for their contributions and extending the temporary Emergency Support Services funding to mid-February. However, through this massive relocation effort we have learned there is a clear need to close a jurisdictional gap in provincial support policy. The City and our partner agencies have key learnings that can be used to support others should an event of this magnitude ever occur again and I look forward to liaising with the province on these matters.”
The lack of affordable housing is a direct result of the various communities around the lower mainland’s rush to bulldoze older modestly priced three story wooden walk-ups and garden-apartment style rentals in favor of densified market priced (often investor driven), hi-rises.
The City of North Vancouver’s ‘throw them a bone’ one time cash helping hand – while a nice gesture – I see as simply political cover up of the total malfeasance that is the planning and development of the communities lands and housing as a whole.
Those of modest income through-out the region are suffering financially and are painted into rental housing corners, unable to move or deal with development upheavals as they loose their older rental controlled units.
The City of North Vancouver’s much touted pace of re-development, front of the pack locally, has been crushing financially as well as mentally to the most vulnerable members of the community.
Simply put, ‘A total failure of good community planning”.
Tony Caldwell,
North Vancouver
Well said!
We thank nsem for all they have done for us
We thank nsem for all they have done for us
Now in our new address 😊