Vancouver’s proposed social housing initiative prompts pushback

A housing initiative in Vancouver is facing pushback.

A proposed City of Vancouver social housing initiative is facing pushback ahead of a debate and decision by council this week.

If approved Tuesday, amendments to the zoning development bylaw would relax regulation and permit social housing up to 20 storeys without a public hearing for each project in some parts of the city.

Dozens gathered in Dunbar to learn about the initiative, veteran urban planner Michael Geller was among them and raised red flags about how the proposal paves the way for increased density.

“(It’s) frightening for people who suddenly realize that at any time somebody might get approval to put a tower next door to them without any public hearing, without any public process,” said Geller.

Geller, who was once a manager of social housing in Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., said he supports more social housing throughout Vancouver. However, he said building large towers in some neighborhoods disrupts the landscape of communities.

“I don’t think putting high-rises next to two story and three-story houses is always appropriate from a planning point of view,” Geller said.

In a proposed zoning map, areas highlighted in purple would allow for expedited approval of social housing up to 20 storeys in neighbourhoods where single-family dwellings and lowrises have been the norm.

“Changing the zoning on 33,000 plus lots to allow that is a bit like cracking a nut with a sledgehammer, it’s overkill,” Geller said.

William Azaroff, the CEO of Brightside Community Homes Foundation, said non-profits only own a “few hundred” parcels of land and won’t be buying up and transforming swathes of property if the initiative is approved. Rather, organizations would be able to redevelop land they already own to increase the number of affordable units.

Azaroff added this initiative would not only add more housing but would cut costs for non-profits and allow them to more quickly and easily access funding for projects.

As for the large-scale buildings, he said they would be strategically placed, “those would only be earmarked in areas that are already allocated to build that kind of density.”

Azaroff argued this type of zoning will enable social housing providers to more easily build at the same scale as for-profit developers.

“Why shouldn’t non-profit housing providers be able to build that kind of density? He asked.

Geller said he supports the initiative in principle but would like to see it fine-tuned to be more specific about “where the 20-storey buildings should be allowed.”

CTV News reached out to the City of Vancouver, and a spokesperson said they were unable to provide a comment on this matter until a decision was made.