Vancouver’s unhoused population could increase dramatically by 2030: report

With a significant increase projected in Vancouver’s unhoused population by the end of the decade, a non-profit in the city’s Downtown Eastside is sounding the alarm.

A report by the Carnegie Housing Project (CHP) titled ‘This Isn’t Working,’ was released Tuesday and outlines 42 recommendations for all levels of government to improve the city’s dire housing situation.

The CHP says unless urgent measures are taken by the provincial and federal government to protect and expand affordable housing, the number of unhoused residents in Vancouver could increase by nearly 2,000 in the next six years.

Priority recommendations put forth in the report include implementing provincial SRO vacancy control, extending leases for modular housing, and expediting renovations for SRH sites like Regent, Balmoral, and the derelict site at Hastings and Gore.

Earlier this month, Devin O’Leary with the CHP says housing availability in the city took a blow when the B.C. Supreme Court dismissed the city of Vancouver’s attempt to restrict rent increases for SROs.

“We are on track to lose hundreds of single-room occupancy hotels (SROs) to rent increases because the city lost the vacany control court case,” said O’Leary.

O’Leary emphasized the urgent need for action, with the current loss of shelter-rate housing (SRH) and the slow pace of new construction exacerbating the problem.

“While new SRH is being built, there’s not enough of it to make up for the losses,” O’Leary said.

In its report, CHP forecasts a decline of more than 2,000 SRH units by 2030, with the construction of fewer than 1,300 over the next six years.

The report also calls for federal and provincial alignment on social housing definitions, increased funding for social housing projects, and a push for substantial federal funding to build affordable housing. It also proposes the creation of a fund for the DTES Community Land Trust and the construction of additional shelters to accommodate the current shortfall.

Currently, Vancouver has about 6,500 SROs, spanning both private and provincially owned properties, which are predominantly situated in the Downtown Eastside. Notably, SROs differ from SRH, with rent hikes frequently occurring in the privately owned buildings.

“Low wages, rapidly rising rents, and real estate profits are pushing on all renters,” O’Leary said. “‘This Isn’t Working’ also refers to the narratives and policies that currently vilifies those who are pushed the hardest and end up having to shelter outside.”

O’Leary also voiced frustration about stagnant discussions with provincial and federal authorities, emphasizing that the governments are merely “saying the right words” without tangible actions.

CityNews spoke with B.C.’s Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon on Tuesday, who weighed in on the call for action.

Kahlon acknowledged the challenges and emphasized ongoing efforts to open more modular, shelter, and supportive housing units. However, he highlighted the difficulties in finding suitable locations and obtaining necessary approvals from local governments.

“The biggest challenge we have for opening shelters, or opening up supportive housing is finding a spot and getting the approvals we need from local governments to be able to do that,” Kahlon said.

“We work with the City of Vancouver closely to identify leases that may be coming up, and where other opportunities are for us to have housing. That work is ongoing and it is very important.”

Responding to concerns about municipal hesitations, O’Leary emphasized the need for a compassionate approach, suggesting that the city has the capacity to address the issue responsibly.

Kahlon assured that every effort is being made to allocate housing units to communities with available land and pressing need.

Despite the province opening 536 housing units in the DTES over the last two years, more than 3,400 individuals remain on the waitlist for affordable housing, according to B.C. Housing.