Housing naughty list released: Here’s how much Vancouver needs to build

Good morning,

Or should I say, good morning twice? The email went out twice to readers yesterday. Apologies for that! We had a bit of a technical issue, and by technical issues, I mean I misread whether it had gone out. Thanks to everyone who emailed about it, and apologies again.

Today, we’ve got:

• 💰️ Profit problems with private long-term care facilities

• 🏘️ The naughty housing list gets some big numbers

• 🗳️ A UBCM motion on income-based fines

Let’s get to it!

PS — You may notice more typos than normal in the coming weeks. My colleague Robert, who reviews the newsletter, will be away for a while, so more errors than normal may slip through. We’re all part-time on the newsletter, so apologies in advance!

HEALTHCARE

Long-term care problems at for-profit providers?

In a system where both private and not-for-profit providers deliver the same services, it’s helpful to understand the differences between each. Now, a new report by BC’s advocate for seniors Isobel Mackenzie lays out a troubling situation when it comes to long-term care facilities.

What happened: The report outlines how the number of hours that senior care clinics are supposed to be delivering was 500,000 hours lower than what was funded, according to CTV. Meanwhile, public facilities provided 93,000 more care hours than the funding required them to deliver.

"That's why it's very important for us to ensure that the money being spent in these facilities is being done in a way that provides the best possible care for the residents who live there and good value for the public who's paying for it,” she told CBC.

Zoom out: Mackenzie previously released a report back in June on assisted living, calling on the government to increase funding, according to CBC. She also noted the Community Care and Assisted Living Act hasn’t been updated in 20 years.

Why it matters: The province gives $2 billion a year to private long-term care bed providers while costs at these clinics rose 35 percent. Meanwhile, these same providers generated a 113 percent increase in profits over five years. Non-profits also spent 25 percent more on direct care for residents than for-profit providers, according to CBC.

Lookout’s view: Taxpayer money has to be spent efficiently, and provide valuable services for citizens. This report sheds an uncomfortable light on how companies treat some of our society's most vulnerable.

• You can read the entire report here.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🏘️ $107 million: The amount the Government of Canada is giving, in the form of a low-interest loan, to build 215 purpose-built rental units in Vancouver at 5780 Alberta Street. [Woodworking Network]

🚢 14%: The drop in container shipments at the Port of Vancouver, which indicates declining consumer demand. Data like this could mean signs of a recession on the horizon. [Bloomberg]

🪧 75: The number of people who rallied outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver on Monday. They were protesting the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. [CBC]

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TRANSIT

Housing naughty list finally has targets

What happened: Yesterday, the province announced their target number of additional housing units that need to be built by 2028 for the ten cities that aren’t building enough, dubbed the “naughty” housing list, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Vancouver’s number? It’s a real doozy. The province says Vancouver must build an additional 28,900 homes out of the 60,000 announced for all ten cities. Vancouver’s total represents 48 percent of all units that must be built.

Targets: It’s not just any type that needs to be built according to Urbanized. It’s a mix of different types:

• 8,015 homes;

• 20,886 secured purpose-built rentals;

• Of those rentals, 12,992 must be market rentals and 2,894 would be below-market rentals.

The province also provided targets on the size of units that need to be built:

• 3,001 studio or one-bedroom units;

• 5,231 two-bedroom units;

• 583 supportive housing units;

• And 6,209 with three or more bedrooms.

The finer details: The measurement is for units built, not units approved. Those municipalities that hit the targets will get extra funding for parks, recreation centres and other critical amenities. And for those that don’t hit the targets? The province will step in and rezone neighbourhoods, according to the Vancouver Sun.

• That extra funding will be useful, since municipalities tax developers to fund these services, which tends to increase the costs of building each unit.

What they said: Mayor Ken Sim said the city is “ready to take the lead on building new housing,” which, based on comments from other mayors in places like Oak Bay and West Vancouver, was much more supportive of the plan.

Verdict: Housing advocates say the numbers are, unfortunately, not enough. Reporter Justin McElroy noted that most cities usually already hit these targets.

Housing advocate Peter Waldkirch from Abundant Housing Vancouver held nothing back, tweeting the housing policy amounted to the province saying, “Vancouver isn't for you. Or young people, or families, or people working to make a living.”

What it means: In a previous decision, Vancouver council chose to prioritize approving buildings that were ready to be built, not the type of buildings, like rentals or non-profit housing. Given these strict directives, the city may have to refocus on prioritizing these types of units.

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

I spent some time in Toronto last week. One thing I always do is check real estate listings in each place I visit to get a sense of affordability.

I noticed Toronto has many three-bedroom housing options for around $1.2-$1.3 million. So, for today’s house of the week, I checked out what’s available for that price.

The answer? Not much! And there’s really only one in the West Point Gray and Kitsilano area. The place I found is 1,058 square feet, with a good-sized kitchen for the size of the space, a nice two-floor layout, and is in a great part of town.

For this size, it’ll set you back quite a bit…

House of The Week is a home selected by the Lookout team and is not a paid advertisement. All ads are labeled as such. If you’re a realtor who wishes to feature your home in our newsletter, please contact our sales team.

THE AGENDA

👎️ Outrage has grown over a sign that advertised a whites-only kids meetup group in Port Coquitlam. Local by-law officers are removing the signs. [Urbanized]

🔪 A man who was arrested at a comedy festival in Stanley Park earlier this month for brandishing a knife was arrested again after breaking his release order, after possessing a knife. He will have a court appearance on Sept. 29. [Global]

🌉 The Lions Gate Bridge was briefly closed after a metal sheet was removed that fell from a light fixture. That’s some strong wind! [CBC]

👮 The trial for three Vancouver police officers who broke a suspect’s ribs back in 2017 is underway. A video showed the officers arresting the suspect, followed by the officers kneeing him after the arrest while he was prone on the ground. [CBC]

🚗 Uber is expanding throughout the Fraser Valley beyond Abbotsford and will now operate just outside Agassiz near Harrison Hotsprings. [Urbanized]

TAXES

Why UBCM voted in favour of income-based fines

Last week the Union of BC Municipalities passed a motion to ask the provincial government to look at income-based fines, according to CityNews. So what exactly is that?

What is it: Income-based fines are different than normal fines. Rather than charging someone a flat fee for a speeding ticket, for example, the price of the scales up and down based on someone’s income.

Zoom out: According to The Atlantic, 30 countries around the world do this. Finland charges based on how many days of work it would cost that person, while those without income get a minimum fine or do community service.

The rationale: If fines are meant to deter people from doing something, then the fine’s impact is disproportionately felt by lower-income people. A fine of $200 for speeding for a wealthy person is less of a deterrent than someone making $20,000 a year.

What’s next: Resolutions are non-binding, so nothing may be done, but the provincial government has to provide a response to the motion.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Vancouver International Film Festival | Spots around town | Sept. 28-Oct 8 | It’s here! Vancouver’s biggest film festival features hidden gems, big premieres and local favourites | Ticket prices vary

Vancouver Oktoberfest Harvest Haus | PNE Forum | This Friday and Saturday, 6 pm | Beer, bratwurst, chefs and entertainment, what’s not to love? | Tickets $35

Vancouver Fall Home Show | Vancouver Convention Centre | Sept. 28-Oct. 1 | Events, and more for all you home nerds | Tickets $16

More Than a Movie: Little Mermaid | BC Place Stadium | This Sunday, 3 pm | Come see the Little Mermaid on the massive jumbotron, plus other events for kids | Tickets $15-$50

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Four of the most expensive homes in BC are in Vancouver. Check them out here. [CTV]

• 📊 Love a good statistic? Check out Stat Significant, a weekly newsletter of data-driven insights on culture, sports & more. [Sponsored]

• Vancouver has some fun hockey history facts. Did you know the blue line was invented here? [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Here’s a lovely profile of local Vancouver chef Steven Che who co-owns Wild Flour Pizza, a spot you should definitely check out. [South China Morning Post]

• Congrats to Vancouver artist Dana Claxton who won the Audain Prize. [CBC]

• Popular bakery Small Victory is opening a not-so-small location at 388 W 6th Ave. in Mount Pleasant on Oct. 5. [Vancouver is Awesome]

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GAME TIME

I can’t shake the feeling of summer, so we’ll continue with a park for Vancouver Guesser.

Can you name this popular park? Here’s a hint — it’s on the Seawall. Reply with your name and the correct answer and you’ll be mentioned in the newsletter.