Vancouver Mayor Proposes Freeze on New Supportive Housing Projects

Mayor Ken Sim defends the move as a rebalancing effort, while critics warn it could exacerbate homelessness and strain on vulnerable populations.

Mayor Ken Sim announced plans to halt the construction of new supportive housing units in Vancouver, citing an uneven distribution of such housing across Metro Vancouver.
Sim argued that Vancouver, with 25% of the region's population, currently hosts 77% of its supportive housing, which he called unsustainable.
Critics, including housing advocates and local officials, warn the freeze could worsen homelessness and fail to address the complex needs of vulnerable populations in the city.
The proposal includes revising the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Plan to promote mixed-use development and decentralize social services currently concentrated in the area.
The provincial government and non-profit housing groups expressed concern about the plan, emphasizing the need for regional collaboration while questioning the mayor's linking of supportive housing to crime.