B.C. gov’t to move forward with controversial Richmond supportive housing; councillor says pause was ‘political’

The provincial government is giving the go-ahead for a supportive housing project in Richmond that’s drawn widespread criticism from those in the community.

The province had previously paused work on the project in August– a couple months ahead of the October provincial election.

B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says the project was delayed by researching five alternate locations.

“We temporarily paused moving forward with the proposed supportive housing project at 3780 Sexsmith Rd. in Richmond so BC Housing staff could explore other potential sites,” said Kahlon in a statement Thursday.

But Richmond City Coun. Kash Heed says the timing is absolutely related to the election.

“How much more political can this be?” he asked 1130 NewsRadio — rhetorically. 

He says the issue was so hot-button it basically tanked the BC NDP’s election chances in Richmond — and the only reason the party hit pause was to salvage its polling numbers in the city.

Heed says he supported the plan last year, but the province pulled the rug out from under council by stepping in and telling them no.

Kahlon says the Sexsmith Road location remains the best option.

“This project is crucial to helping address the urgent need for long-term, supportive housing to deal with the growing number of people facing homelessness in Richmond, which has increased 91% since the pandemic to more than 160 people at last count,” said the minister.

He adds that misinformation around the project has clouded the fact that it will have 24/7 staffing, an outdoor clean-up crew, a dedicated public phone line, and security features, such as cameras, fencing and lighting.

Heed says he’s still in favour of supportive housing in the city but won’t be backing this project — unless it’s specifically made for seniors who can’t afford rentals in Richmond.

“I’m not going to play their political game. I’m not going to be a political pawn of this provincial government on this particular issue,” said Heed.

The province says it will be sending the site back to Richmond city council for final consideration.

A community group that campaigned against the project last year reassembled outside the site Thursday, pushing back against the project, citing safety concerns.

‘Keep Richmond Safe,’ a coalition of local, conservative politicians and candidates, including Sheldon Starrett, spoke to media, arguing anecdotally that low-barrier access to housing attracts crime.

“I was a bit disappointed that the minister, in his statements, said that there was much misinformation about this site, because the legitimate concerns that people are airing are based off of what we’ve seen,” said the hopeful federal Conservative nominee for Richmond Centre-Marpole.

He says the site is too big and would amount to “warehousing” people with complex needs. Conflating homelessness fully with addiction, Starrett says the province needs to focus on treatment above housing.

He says a supportive housing project at the site needs to have a “zero tolerance for drug use.”

“We don’t think this is the right fit for Richmond. We do support supportive housing, but the supportive housing needs to have barriers. It needs to have strict rules so that the residents conduct themselves as good neighbours,” said Starrett.

Teresa Wat, BC Conservative MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport, says she’s “disgusted” by the BC NDP’s decision to continue with the project.

“What’s the point of conducting a consultation when you have already decided on this site? The news release said that they looked at five other sites, and this is still preferable,” said Wat. “Why don’t you talk to the residents? First listen to them.”

The group called on BC NDP MLA for Richmond-Steveston Kelly Greene to table the concerns of Richmond constituents with cabinet.

“Let them know the residents are not happy,” said Wat.