Will giving money to unhoused people solve homelessness?

Good morning,

Drake is in town and he’s doing all the big Vancouver things.

First, he visits Yaletown. Then he orders a Cactus Club bellini. What’s next? Eating a Whitespot burger? A collab with Seabus Memes? An interview with Nardwar? Oh wait, that already happened…

Unlike Drake tickets, experiencing our Vancity Lookout newsletter won’t cost you. And unlike Drake, you won’t hear me singing any songs.

In today’s newsletter, we’ve got:

• 💰 A study breaking stereotypes about how homeless people spend money

• 🏢 A proposal to change taxes on homes

• 🇻🇳 A preview of the first Insider member story

• 📅 And a big list of events this Labour Day

One programming note — there will be no newsletter on Monday since it’s a holiday. And members can expect their first Insider newsletter on Thursday.

Let’s get to it!

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout newsletter writer

HEALTH

New study busts stereotypes on homelessness

Does giving homeless people money mean they’ll spend it on “bad things”?

What happened: Well, a new study from UBC is dispelling this myth — unhoused individuals who were part of a study where they received $7,500 mostly spent the money on housing, not on things like drugs or alcohol, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Beyond giving people money, the study also measured the public’s belief of what homeless people would do with the money. The public estimated homeless people would spend four times more than housed people on goods like drugs and alcohol.

• The data: Individuals spent 99 fewer days homeless and saved society $777 by not spending time in shelters, according to Vancouver is Awesome.

Said Jiaying Zhao, the researcher who led the study: “We know that people tend to dehumanize those experiencing homelessness. What’s surprising to me was how large this bias was… homelessness is such a big problem in North America right now. It’s extremely costly in terms of GDP as well as human lives, and the current approaches to homelessness reduction are not working.”

Why it matters: This type of data-driven study shows the challenges in adopting good policy because of ingrained stereotypes. It’s hard to advocate for an effective solution like direct money transfers when the public holds these beliefs.

Yes, but: The study did not include those with substance abuse issues, and only looked at recently homeless people. But it’s also worth remembering the levels of homelessness we see in public. Only three percent of households have experienced homelessness on the streets or in shelters, whereas 15 percent are hidden, which could include living with family, or anywhere else because they have no home.

• The visible homeless population accounts for a much greater mindshare because we see it in the news and in our lives.

Other studies: Before you say this is a one-off study, UBC conducted a similar study back in 2018 that generated the same results, according to Vox. Those who got money moved into housing faster and actually spent far less on drugs and alcohol, and more on clothes and food.

• Most studies back up this claim.

Thought-bubble: Data like this shows paternalistic approaches for many homeless people is not the right answer. Is giving millions to non-profit housing providers better than just giving those who need housing more money? We likely need both, but a better balance could potentially be set between each policy. Unfortunately, biases may make this type of approach next to impossible.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

📈 $704 million: The budget surplus posted by the B.C. government. At one point the government predicted in February it would have a $5.5 billion deficit, but thanks to economic and job growth, that number switched to a surplus. [Vancouver Sun]

HOUSING

Empty homes and bigger home taxes?

What happened: Developers leaving homes empty to try and make more money? Say it ain't so! But new data from the Vancouver Sun shows that some developers are holding onto empty properties in order to sell them at a higher price.

• This comes as ABC changed rules earlier this year to exempt unsold condos from the empty homes tax. Staff originally recommended a time-limited option, but ABC extended it indefinitely.

Actually a problem? As noted in the story, it impacts only 96 units, hardly a number that would do much to change overall housing prices. But the story notes that the policy shift by council resulted in a loss of $7 million in taxes that could’ve gone to affordable housing.

The other side: Instead of adopting policies that focus on reducing costs for developers, economist Alex Hemmingway laid out a policy proposal outlined by Business in Vancouver, arguing for higher property taxes on 12 percent of the B.C. households.

• The policy would seek to tax land more aggressively, with a higher tax on properties over $3 million, and a new higher bracket on properties over $7 million, which Hemmingway says is a tiny amount compared to the increase in home values. A tax would also apply to households that own more than one property worth more than $1.5 billion.

One piece not mentioned, but supported by Hemmingway, is to reduce income taxes for lower and middle-income families to offset tax increases.

• Yes, but: I’ll admit I’m a fan of this policy, but taxation also doesn’t get at the heart of the housing issue, which is we need more housing built now.

Reality check: Governments have been generally opposed to raising property taxes, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon, no matter if it only impacts a few people.

THE AGENDA

👮 A cold case about a number of sexual assaults near the Granville strip 10 years ago has been solved according to the police, after they arrested a suspect in Saskatchewan last month. The cases involved a string of sexual assaults as women left clubs. [Globe and Mail]

⛰️ Hiking fans rejoice, Joffre Lake will reopen over the long weekend. The B.C. First Nations who shut the park down say they requested meetings with the provincial government, but never received them, which prompted them to act. [CBC]

🛳️ According to the World Travel Awards, Canada Place is the World’s Leading Cruise Port. That’s good news for tourist spots like the Spaghetti Factory, which I promise will not be reviewed in any of our Insider Food newsletters. [Urbanized]

👎️ Not again… A new COVID variant, BA.2.86, was detected for the first time in the Fraser Health region. Health officials say it does not appear to be worse than previous variants. [CityNews]

🏠️ Your partner, your kids and someone else? As home prices skyrocket, co-ownership of homes is on the rise according to a survey by Royal LePage. No word on who’s in charge of the dishes. [Urbanized]

🚆 Prepare yourself, SkyTrain disruptions are coming. The Richmond portion of the Canada Line, between Bridgeport and Brighouse stations, will end early at 9:30 pm, Monday to Friday, starting Sept. 5 and ending Dec. 19. Buses will go between each station every 10 minutes. [Business in Vancouver]

🎢 This is my literal nightmare — Playland’s Wooden Roller Coaster broke down on Wednesday, and people had to walk down off the ride, at a high point of 22.9 metres. A spokesperson for the PNE said the ride is now working. [Global]

WEEKEND GUIDE

VIFF Back to the 80s | VIFF | All week | Catch some of the best 80s movies this weekend at VIFF | Tickets $15

Lullaby To Broadway Musical Theatre Concert | 100 Newport Dr., Port Moody | FridaySunday, 7 pm | A musical concert in three acts celebrating the best songs from Broadway | Tickets $37

Charcuterie on the Pier | White Rock Pier | This Saturday, 2-4 pm | Join in for the record attempt to build the world’s largest charcuterie board. Plus you an eat it after and listen to live music | Tickets $90

Big Marche | Robson Square Ice Rink | This Saturday, 1-7 pm | A yearly festival showcasing local food, art, artists workshops and businesses, with 75 different vendors | Free

Dusk Pro Wrestling - Blue Moonc | Newmont Stage at BMO Theatre Centre | This Saturday, 6 pm | Nothing better than a weekend with amateur wrestling featuring old and new participants | Tickets $22

Taiwan Fest | Granville Street and downtown locations | This Sunday to Tuesday | Art exhibits, good, music and comedy, come by and check out the best of Taiwan every day | Free

Polish Festival | Shipyards District 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver | This Sunday, 1-8 pm | Magic show, Polish dance, and of course, Polish food! | Free

Mt. Pleasant Street Art and Mural Tour | This Sunday, 11 am | Free public tour of mural art throughout the neighbourhood, including the different types of art like abstract, surrealism and more | Free

MEMBERS-ONLY

Preview: A vermicelli soup that left me wanting more

To me, Vietnamese food offers a perfect example of what I love about food, the blending of traditional types of food into something completely different.

The influence of the French goes without saying. From Banh Mi French bread to the prevalence of milk compared to other Asian cultures, its uniqueness is in how it combines everything together to create something wholly its own. As noted by cookbook author Nicole Routhier, Chinese cuisine also had a huge influence.

If you’ve lived in Vancouver, you’ve most likely been to Anh and Chi. The popular spot sports lines out the door every time I’ve ridden by on the bus. And with good reason — it’s fresh and delicious, wrapped up in a beautiful interior.

• Insider tip: It’s worth visiting. But you will have to wait, so try and get there early.

But what interests me about Vietnamese restaurants, and Vancouver restaurants in general, is not the popular spots. I’m interested in the prevalence of small mom-and-pop shops, without the fancy interiors, long lines, catering to tourists or people with money to spend. I want to try the places that you have to work to find, or stumble across randomly, run by families, who bring their culture tastes into their own dishes.

• And I’m not the only one. Our last Lookout survey to you, our readers, showed that most of you also want hidden food gems, and not reviews of popular, well-known spots.

HISTORY

Reddit user enygma9 shared this archive photo of the Sky Glider chair at the PNE in 1971. If you were around during that PNE, let us know!

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The ever-popular team-up of Beaucoup Bakery and Chinatown BBQ are bringing Vancouver a bbq pork cruffin, on Saturday and Sunday. You can find it at Light Up Chinatown. [Eat North]

• The next few weekends will see closures in Stanley Park, so if you’re driving you may want to read this road closure schedule. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Is That French? Dachi and La Fabrique St-George are some of the spots Georgia Straight recommends for natural wine. I’d also add Pizza Coming Soon to that list. [Georgia Straight]

• If you’ve got $12.8 million lying around, you can purchase this restored Arthur Erickson home, which is a steal from its original price of $16.8 million in 2018. [Business in Vancouver]

• Want your announcement featured in the newsletter? Fill out this form

SURVEY

What readers said about renter protections

Thanks to everyone who responded to the survey about whether renters need more protection. Here are the results:

• 47 percent said renters need more protections

• 31 percent said property owners’ concerns aren’t being considered enough

• 22 percent said there needs to be more balance between the two groups

Here’s what the community said:

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Reddit user Heilbroner shared this gorgeous shot of the Lions Gate Bridge.

GAME TIME

Congrats to Mary Young from East Van for correctly guessing the park in yesterday’s Vancouver Guesser was Clinton Park.

Think you can guess today’s Wordle? Play it now.