Controversial Richmond supportive housing site moving forward: province

The provincial government is promising to revive a controversial supportive housing project in Richmond, and critics are already coming out against the plan.

The provincial government is moving forward with a plan for a six-storey, 90-unit supportive housing building in Richmond.

The project, slated for the intersection of Sexsmith and Cambie roads, was paused last year while BC Housing explored five other possible locations.

On Thursday, the province announced the project will be moving forward.

“I hear from people all the time who say, ‘I’m nervous and get scared when I see people sleeping in the park or sleeping in front of my business,” said Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon.

“There’s a clear understanding from people in Richmond and throughout Metro Vancouver and the province that people would prefer people in housing than having them sleep in their neighborhoods or in the parks.”

Richmond’s three Conservative MLAs were quick to voice their opposition to the project, saying it lacked consultation with residents.

The MLAs also claim that the city’s temporary modular housing sites are already causing issues in the community.

“There’s been examples of open drug use, there’s been examples of excessive thefts happening in the community,” said Steve Kooner, the MLA for Richmond-Queensborough. “There’s been examples of vandalism that’s been happening. So, there’s lots of concerns.”

Teresa Wat, MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport, says she’s in favour of supportive housing but wants a zero-tolerance policy for illegal drug use.

Kahlon says the new proposed, permanent building site will be different from temporary projects.

“When you have temporary housing situations, they’re not designed for the additional safety measures that a purpose-built facility or building give you,” said Kahlon.

“With a purpose-built design, you can have the extra safety measures, you can have the cameras, you can have the fencing. It allows the staff that are working there to be able to better monitor not only who’s in the building, who’s moving around the building, but who’s doing what around the building.”

Kahlon says the building will not include a safe drug consumption site.

The province will begin engaging people in the neighbourhood about the project in March. The site is proposed on City of Richmond land and will require city council approval.

Richmond Mayor Malcom Brodie addressed the Province’s plan today.

“Increasing the supply of supportive housing for residents and creating healthy communities with diverse housing options remains a priority for the City of Richmond,” said Brodie via statement to CTV News.

“This provincial project still requires BC Housing to complete the required processes including community engagement before its rezoning application can come to Council for review and consideration.”

If all goes according to the Province’s plan, construction is expected to begin in 2026.