Topic: Affordable Housing
Our topic to day is Affordable Housing. Producer Kevin Olenick had a chance to attend Housing Central, western Canada’s largest affordable housing conference and brings some fresh insight into the subject.
Guests
In this episode we begin with discussing Federal, Provincial and Local Housing Strategies with Jill Atkey, Managing Director of the BC Non Profit Housing Association.
Later in the show we meet, Helen Colliander and Naia Lee; students leading the Marpole Students for Modular Housing project. After weeks of heated protests and meetings, the City of Vancouver has approved a modular housing development for the homeless in Marpole. It’s part of a larger plan by the city to build 600 temporary modular housing units on various underused or vacant sites. The province has committed $66 million to the project. This has been a bone of contention with the residents. The modular homes will be built across the street from two schools, one for elementary students. That fact, along with the lack of consultation before the city announced plans to build the modular homes, were the focus of a series of protests from some in the community.
While this has been with resistance, a group has come forward and taken a stand. They are the Students for Modular Housing. This group from Churchill Secondary School, near the site for the Marpole Modular Housing project, has warmly welcomed the homeless to their community.
Special thanks to producer Sandy Goldman for arranging interviews and coordination.
Social Media Links
Marpole students
- Facebook group: Marpole student for modular housing
- Instagran @ms_4_mh
Jill – BcNonprofit Housing
