Province pressing pause on proposed supportive housing project in Richmond

The provincial government says it is suspending work on the proposed Cambie Permanent Housing Project in Richmond.

The move comes after ongoing opposition to the project from members of the community, with a petition and rally claiming the building would bring public disorder and drug use to the neighbourhood.

B.C. Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon made the announcement Friday, saying the government plans to keep addressing homelessness in the city but says his office wants to “take a step back, hear from the community, and re-assess our options.”

Kahlon says the government is open to considering the project at this site or other potential locations.

“Let me be clear, we’re not hitting pause on our commitment to addressing homelessness in Richmond,” he said.

“We have extended the lease for the other sites to 2027, which gives us time to look at other options for sites.”

Kahlon says supportive homes such as this proposed project are good for communities overall, in part because they minimize encampments.

“We also know that everyone in our communities, including people experiencing homelessness, are safer when they have shelter and housing because people are able to stabilize and access the services and treatment they need to rebuild their lives,” he said.

Those opposed say the model wouldn’t help the people living in the area, but instead build a nucleus of crime and drug use in the community.

The 90-unit building would have opened on Cambie Street near Sexsmith Road.