Vancouver housing still unaffordable despite possible federal funding say experts

Federal money for housing may be coming Vancouver's way in the next budget, but affordability in the cityis going to get worse before it gets better, say housing experts.

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertsonannounced yesterday the cityis asking the federal government for half a billion dollars to build social housing on $250million worth of cityowned land most of it vacant. He and 19 other Canadian mayors are in Ottawa this week, pitching their needs to the federal government before it releases its budget.

But one non-profit housing executive says that while the proposal puts Vancouver ahead of other cities when it comes to putting shovels to the ground, it will still take years to build more housing.

"Things are going to get worse before it gets better," said Tony Roy, CEO of B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association.

Expiring co-op housing contracts, an aging population, and the rising cost of land will perpetuate Vancouver's housing affordability issues in the near future.

Any funding deal with the federal government will be a long-term solution, but that doesn't mean people should not support it, said Roy.

"It's important to be supportive of the politicians who are stepping now at the city level now to make those decisions.. because people aren't going to see the results of them by the next election. This isn't a quick fix, this is a long term decision."

Robertson's proposal suggests that federal money be put toward building new social housing on 20 city owned sites.

There are currently 60,000 units of social housing and 15,000 units of co-op housing in B.C. according to Roy.

• Metro Vancouver home prices hit $1.29M benchmark

What about rental housing?

Building social housing will only do so much, says one urban planner. B.C. is home to many renters, like fixed-income seniors and international students and rental vacancy rates are low.

The city has to find ways to fill the need for rental housing now, regardless of whether that federal money comes through, says architect and planner Michael Geller.

He says re-zoning single-family home neighbourhoods may be the best course of action.

"Vancouver will never be as affordable as Winnipeg, but we could begin, I think, to at least create some of these other options."

"You see wonderful opportunities to build lots of townhouse and low-rise apartments."

The city announced Wednesday plans to create 252 units of market rental housing near Burrard Street and 14th Aveon the city's west side.

To listen to the full audio, click the link labelled:Reaction to Vancouver's affordable housing plan.