Vancouver's Plan for Athletes Village Not Half Bad

The recent staff report from the City of Vancouver recommending half of the originally designated social housing units in the Athletes Village be converted into market-rent housing has met with significant media attention over the past two days. Many housing advocates are rightfully concerned that the public funds used to build the project are in danger of simply subsidizing luxury apartments for Vancouver's elite. Despite the project's escalating costs, converting the units into social housing ensured that taxpayers money would have gone to the city's most needy residents. The Village was originally planned to house 252 social housing units, but with this portion of the project running approximately $50 million over budget, City and Provincial officials are now trying to find ways to recoup some of the money. This week's staff report suggested that half (126) of these units be converted into market rent housing for local essential service workers like fire crews and police.

Creating affordable, market-rent accommodation helps keep the working poor, who may not qualify for social housing, in the city close to their jobs. Converting 126 of the Athletes Village units into market-rent apartments would provide much-needed relief to Vancouver's low-income residents, in a housing market deemed to be one of the least affordable in the world. It is not just social housing residents that need affordable accommodation, it is also a growing army of lower and middle-income workers that are increasingly being priced out of the real estate market. With few rental units constructed since the 1970s in most Canadian cities, many low-wage workers face long commutes from distant suburbs every day just to get to minimum-wage jobs. The long commutes, coupled with long working hours, make it difficult for these workers to spend time with their families and put a strain on communities.

The City's tentative plan then to convert some of the designated social housing units into affordable market-rent accommodation has the potential to help a broader spectrum of low-income Vancouverites. Not only will the social housing sector gain 126 new units, but 126 other low-income workers who do not qualify for subsidized rent will be able to stay in the city. The report suggests the units be reserved for essential service workers - perhaps a misguided suggestion considering the average income for police, fire, and ambulance crews typically earn much higher than minimum wage. Instead, the units should be awarded to low-income workers that play an integral role in keeping Vancouver running - particularly service industry workers.

Vancouver still has a long way to go until the fate of these units is finally decided. The latest staff report indicates a step in the right direction however. It needs to be accepted that with the social housing running over $50 million over budget, the City needs to recoup the money somehow. Renting the units at affordable rates to local workers would not only provide a regular source of income for the City, but would also reach a broader spectrum of low-income residents than traditional social housing is able to.

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