Researcher highlights need for supportive housing amid Burnaby dispute

A researcher says more supportive housing is needed in Metro Vancouver as a pair of BC Housing projects in Burnaby continue to see pushback.

Penny Gurstein is the founder of the Housing Research Collaborative at UBC and says a lack of supportive housing puts strain on other sectors of the community.

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“Data has shown that if you don’t have adequate housing for people with multiple barriers, they overtake the health-care system, and we are already straining in terms of health-care demands,” said Gurstein.

According to the 2025 Point-in-Time count, about 5,232 individuals in Metro Vancouver are homeless, up nine per cent compared to 2023.

Vancouver recorded around 2,715 unhoused residents, while Burnaby had 205.

A proposed supportive housing project in Burnaby has seen growing backlash from the community, alongside a shelter.

BC Housing is looking to build 50 new homes at 5389 Imperial Street, which would include 10 studio homes with Complex Care Housing services.

The location would offer on-site health services and support those living with overlapping mental health or substance use challenges.

A permanent shelter has also been proposed for 3020 Gilmore Diversion, featuring 60 beds in a renovated office building.

Thousands have signed online petitions or protested against the projects, citing concerns with public drug use, safety, and crime.

The petitions call for the projects to be relocated and highlight the need for further community engagement.

However, Gurstein believes the alleged impacts from supportive housing are not as profound as people may think.

“Once a supportive housing project is in a community, people are often not even aware that it is a supportive housing community because people are just living their lives.”

A survey from BC Housing found 83 per cent of respondents in modular supportive housing sites reported having positive interactions with neighbours when they moved into the neighbourhood.

Burnaby city councillors to hear motion to reject supportive housing project

BC Housing says initial concerns from neighbourhoods about supportive housing also decrease over time.

Gurstein adds pushback can also stem from a “fear of the unknown” and a person’s bias against those with mental health or substance use issues.

“People are afraid of what they perceive these people to be bringing into their communities, and research has proven that isn’t necessarily the case,” said Gurstein.

“It really is people just not wanting a certain kind of person in their neighbourhood,” said Gurstein. “They don’t feel comfortable with them…they might look different because of years of abuse on their bodies through […] substance use or illness.”

Burnaby city councillors will hear a proposed motion during Tuesday’s meeting to reject the supportive housing project at 5389 Imperial Street.