BC Housing abandons Burnaby supportive housing proposal after protests

There was more backlash against a proposed supportive housing project in Burnaby that will be brought before city council Tuesday.

BC Housing is pulling the plug on a proposed supportive and complex care housing proposal in Burnaby after intense protest in recent months.

The project had aimed to build 40 supportive homes and 10 complex care units at 5389 Imperial Street.

But various community groups had pushed back against it with claims of a lack of appropriate consultation, and fears about residents using drugs in their neighbourhoods.

“I think it’s very important that a democratic government should address people’s concerns,” said Wallace Pong with the community group WeVote. “It’s not imaginary. It’s day-to-day concerns.”

Some groups insisted they believe those addicted to drugs need supports, but this proposal didn’t fit the neighbourhood.

“We’re not against helping people who are vulnerable. Absolutely not,” said David Xie with the group Burnaby Neighbourhood Watch. “I think if you were going to build a low-barrier, supportive housing site right within a low-density residential neighbourhood, there should be proper consultation with more people than just within 150 metres. I don’t think that’s fair.”

On Tuesday evening, before Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley announced the news, groups gathered outside Burnaby city hall to protest the Imperial Street project and a separate proposal that would build a shelter at Gilmore Diversion.

Abbotsford South BC Conservative MLA Bruce Banman attended the protest, saying projects like these are a provincial issue.

“Bring us something with rehab,” Banman said. “Bring us detox. Bring us people with the ability to get their lives back in order. These people want to help. They just don’t want drugs in their neighbourhood.”

But some on council voiced disappointment the Imperial proposal won’t be going ahead.

“It is now a dead project,” Burnaby Coun. Sav Dhaliwal said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “But I’m not very happy about it personally. The City of Burnaby needs supportive housing. And we lost that.”

As for the Imperial site, Hurley said he doesn’t think it will be considered for a similar project in future.