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Understanding the BC Housing controversy
We break down the BC Housing audit plus a new study on smoke inhalation
Geoff Sharpe
May 10, 2023
Good morning,
Get ready Vancouver, today is the national test of the Alert Ready system across Canada. Expect a message on your phone at around 1:55 pm.
Of course, our email may take longer to read than a text message, but it won’t make a loud noise on your phone either.
Today we cover:
Understanding the BC Housing controversy 🚨
Development permitting delays 🏗️
And the health problems of wildfire smoke inhalation. Hint: It’s not good 🫁
Let’s get to it!
— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout newsletter writer
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WEATHER
Wednesday: 20 🌡️ 11 | ☀️
Thursday: 22🌡️ 12 | ⛅
Friday: 24 🌡️ 14 | ⛅
VANCOUVER BY THE NUMBERS
💰 23%: The percentage of Atira housing that costs more than $3,500 to service. This is the highest out of any supportive housing provider. [CBC]
🌆 $387,000: The amount of grant funding the city is giving to four organizations to help revitalize Chinatown. The groups include Chinatown Business Association, EMBERS Eastside Works and the Chinese Community Policing Centre. [Global News]
🏢 $2,541: No this isn’t a typo — that’s the average monthly rental price of an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment in May. Last year the price was $2,016. [Urbanized]
HOUSING
BC Housing audit uncovers conflict breaches
What happened: A forensic audit into BC Housing found "structured and systematic breaching of the conflict of interest rules” with BC Housing, the CEO Shayne Ramsay and the CEO’s wife Janice Abbott, who ran Atira Women’s Society, according to CBC.
The allegations in the audit include altered meeting minutes, financial documents that went missing, money spent without the required signoff and deleted text messages between the CEO and CFO.
Atira received $74 million in provincial last year, the largest of any group funded by BC Housing, up 335 percent since 2016, according to CBC. They also had the highest percentage of units that cost more than $3,500 a month to service.
Atira’s response: The organization said there was “no evidence of financial improprieties.” They also said there were many errors in the report.
Background: Previously, a conflict of interest process was established in 2010 to deal with Ramsay’s relationship with his wife. A preliminary audit last year resulted in Premier David Eby calling on the BC Housing Board to fire Ramsay. The board of directors did not act, resulting in Eby replacing the board members last July, according to Urbanized.
Controversy: in the fall of last year, Atira blocked Tyee journalist Jen St. Denis from speaking to tenants or entering their building. St. Denis published a report in The Tyee a year earlier into broken windows not being fixed.
What it means for Vancouver: BC Housing plays is a critical part of addressing the housing supply in Vancouver for at-risk populations. The challenges with Atira show how problematic our current housing delivery situation is. Couple that with the overwhelming evidence of SRO problems, and it paints a problematic picture for efforts to try and fix precarious housing. The Premier’s decision to be the lead on this announcement shows the government recognizes housing is a key policy issue for them.
HEALTH
New study sheds light on dangers of B.C. fire smog
You always knew breathing in fire smoke in the summer was bad. Well, a new study has confirmed just how bad it is.
The data: A study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that heart issues were 5.5 percent higher when there are 10 micrograms more of PM2.5 in the air, which is the main airborne particle from wildfire smoke, according to CBC.
Within one hour of exposure to wildfire smoke, “heart attacks, breathing problems, and weakened heart walls increased by about one to two per cent.”
The context: The study, released earlier last week, highlights the health effects of what’s become a common occurrence in Vancouver — blighted skies and smoggy air as smoke from fires billows into the city.
Zoom out: The province is already experiencing serious forest fires, in places like Cache Creek, Grand Forks and McBride, according to Global. Alberta is in dire straits — 20,000 people have been forced from their homes, with 90 wildfires burning and 25 are listed as out of control.
The smoke from the fires has spread across the country, as far as Ontario, northern Canada and into the U.S., according to CTV.
Solutions: During bad weather events, it’s best to use an HEPA air filter for your home. Those N95/KN95 masks you used during COVID are also helpful. And be sure to avoid exercise and heavy breathing.
DREAM HOME
Today we’re visiting one of my favourite neighbourhoods, Commercial Drive.
This beautiful, newly renovated home has a gorgeous living room layout, with an open space for entertaining. A big rec room is perfect for a home theatre, or if you have kids, a big playroom. An added benefit? Four washrooms, so everyone in the family gets one.
The price? Well, it’s what you’d expect in Vancouver.
THE AGENDA
🐦 Sorry geese. Or not sorry, depending on how you feel. The city of Vancouver has adopted a Canada goose management plan that could include killing hundreds of birds per year. The bird population is increasing by 18 percent per year. [Global News]
💰 Vancouver may exempt vacant new housing inventory that has yet to be sold from the Vacant Home Tax. The city will also decide on whether to lower the tax from five percent to three percent. [Vancouver Sun]
🏛 Premier David Eby pushed back against a recent New York Times article that asked if Ken Sim won the Vancouver mayoral election due to Chinese interference, calling it outrageous. Eby said the mayor won the election fair and square. [CTV]
🏒 The Canucks will select 11th overall in the upcoming NHL draft. That means no chance of selecting local Vancouverite Connor Bedard. [SportsNet]
🚨 There is a serial groper in town. Vancouver police are asking for help identifying a man who’s groped four women recently. They occurred near Rogers Arena and BC Place on April 27 and 29. [Global]
🏟 Event planners are excited about the new expansion of mid-sized venues across Vancouver, including the new PNE outdoor amphitheatre. [New West Record]
🏢 A development in Vancouver’s West End has shifted away from condominium homes, towards 287 secured rental homes, which are more affordable to develop. [Urbanized]
DEVELOPMENT
Permitting slow down — who’s to blame?
A backlog in housing permits is shedding light on challenges associated with getting new homes both approved and built.
What happened: Development applications are backlogged at city hall, so city staff are asking for the ability to focus on projects they deem most important, according to The Globe and Mail. But the proposal is getting pushback from the development community.
What developers say: They’re concerned about the framework around how and what projects get approved. They also criticize the focus on below-market projects that could come at the expense of projects for middle-income people.
What city staff say: While lots of housing has been approved, they argue that much of it hasn’t actually been built. They want to focus on projects that are, essentially, shovel-ready.
Background: City staff warned of delays back in February, due to the lack of public hearings during the recent city election, according to Urbanized. The approval of the Broadway Plan also increased the number of “Letters of Inquiry” which is the pre-submission process before a rezoning application is submitted.
Developers have been criticizing city staff for a while. Recently Kerry Bonnis, president of Bonnis Properties, said he did not have confidence in city staff’s planning for the revitalized Granville Entertainment District, according to Urbanized.
ARTS
Theatre
Femme Festival, a celebration of female-identifying voices, is happening now, with numerous performances around town. Check it out. [The Clutch]
The reviews are in for Royal City Musical Theatre’s performance of Crazy For You, with one review saying it “satisfies all of your musical craving.” [Broadway World]
Music + Performance
From May 11-13, Ballet BC brings you Wave/s, a performance that builds a community on the stage, with tap dancing, singing and slow dancing. [Stir]
“Music as a healing force” is at the core of singer Chor Leoni and the choir’s performance at The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts from May 11-13. [Stir]
Pink Floyd Tribute Band Crazy Diamonds is coming to Vancouver on July 22 to perform, and it will feature a spectacular laser light show. [Facebook]
Movies
DOXA, the documentary film festival, is happening now until May 14. The program includes films for everyone. [Doxa]
Art
The City Centre Motor Hotel has become an arts centre in the city, called the City Centre Artist Lodge, with artists occupying the entire building. [Georgia Straight]
Get ready for Vancouver’s Mural Festival, happening August 4-13, with beautiful art all across the city, as well as a street party in Mount Pleasant.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Reddit/garethvjones
This was shared on Reddit and is in the Pacific Centre. It’s too funny not to share.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Who’s got the best patios in Vancouver? Local Kits is number five, Dockside is number three and you probably won’t be able to guess number one. [The Populist]
Forbes released a list of places to visit, eat and stay in Vancouver. Published on Main, Burdock and Co and Fiorino all made the restaurant list. [Forbes]
This summer, Porter Airlines is adding a non-stop route between Vancouver and Ottawa. [CTV]
A Lego enthusiast has recreated West Coast modern homes, which are being featured at the West Vancouver Art Museum. [Vancouver Sun]
Congrats to Bette Cosar who retired after 50 years with the Vancouver Opera. She was part of 118 productions! [CBC]
We Should Be Friends is hosting a park hangout this week at Jericho Beach from 2 pm onwards on Saturday. Both humans and dog friends are welcome to attend. [Instagram]
GAME TIME
Can you name this popular brewery? It’s right near a park, but if I name the park, I will give it away… The first five people to respond will be included in the next email.
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