Dear Editor,
Re: "Letters: Community dialogue needed in Richmond supportive housing decisions"
A recent letter suggested the city should do more to engage residents on the proposed supportive housing project at Cambie and Sexsmith.
The city’s role in this project is solely to rezone the city-owned site. The actual supportive housing is a provincial government project with capital and operations funded through BC Housing.
For September, BC Housing, on behalf of the B.C. government, organized a series of five in-person and online dialogue sessions to discuss the proposed development with the community. Almost 1,400 invitations were sent out for those now-cancelled sessions. Obviously, it was important that community input and engagement be included.
However, on Aug. 30, just as this extensive consultation was about to start, the minister suspended the dialogue sessions - as well as the project itself - until further notice.
Assuming this supportive housing development will be reactivated, it will again be subject to the full rezoning process with city council through placement on the planning committee, council and public hearing agendas. Note that this is in addition to the sessions organized by BC Housing.
Residents can then share their views with council and the province prior to decisions being made. Through this dialogue, people should understand precisely what this project is and – more importantly – what it is not. Options should also be explored.
The City of Richmond remains committed to supporting our residents, including those who have no home. I hope that the premier will eventually allow the process to fully unfold before prematurely making decisions.
Malcolm D. Brodie
Mayor of Richmond
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