In Vancouver, the city has unveiled its latest tool in the effort to end homelessness and increase affordable housing options: modular housing.

According to The Tyee, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, federal minister Jean-Yves Duclos, and Vancouver Affordable Housing Association’s interim CEO Luke Harrison officially opened 220 Terminal Avenue this week, which is a three-story, 40-unit temporary housing building renting for $375, which is the income assistance shelter rate for the city.

Residents were selected from city-owned, single room occupancy hotels, in an effort to open up hotel beds for others who are in shelters or on the street.

The development was made possible with a land donation from the city, and also received $1.5 million from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s $200 million Affordable Rental Innovation Fund.

Operational funding from Vancity Credit Union was also provided.

The temporary housing is set to remain at the Terminal Avenue location for at least three years, and then disassembled and utilized elsewhere. The plan is to eventually develop the location, and utilize the modular system as a “stop gap” aid in housing the homeless.

Kamloops based Horizon North, known for their industrial camp work-force housing, built and delivered the modular units in six months, and more units can be added as needed.

“This is an example of where a more creative partnership is working,” said Mayor Robertson.

“We haven’t been able to achieve that on some other sites that are more permanent. They require more ongoing subsidy, and we certainly expect that from the B.C. government and BC Housing, who typically participate in the permanent projects.”

The city is also on the hunt for more potential modular housing locations around Vancouver, which will allow it to continue to solicit federal and provincial governments for more housing funds.

“The numbers work: it’s minimal cost to the city; it’s something that generates enough income to operate with a small subsidy,” said Robertson.

“This is an example of the kind of creative and innovative ideas that we need more of.”

The Daily Business News initially covered this project in October, when the city had a model modular unit from Horizon North on display at the Vancouver art gallery. This story is linked here. ##

 

(Image credits are as shown above.)

 

Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.