Photo caption (L-R): Cllr. Carol Day; Cllr. Chak Au; Cllr. Bill McNulty; Mayor Malcolm Brodie; Cllr. Alexa Loo; Cllr. Andy Hobbs

Richmond City Council has advised the Provincial Government that it has revoked plans for a 90-unit supportive housing project proposed for the City-owned Cambie Road and Sexsmith Road site in Richmond.

The decision to end the government-funded project follows a recent announcement by the Minister of Housing to relaunch the project after placing it on hold prior to the last provincial election while it examined alternative locations.

“Council heard loud and clear from the community that it had concerns with this location and that the provincial government alarmed residents when it suspended the process before reinstating it,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie, alongside members of Council. 

“While we need projects to support our residents, we must also listen to, and respect, community wishes,” he said. “Any permanent supportive housing location should meet the needs of both residents and the community. Government failed to do this by simply relaunching the project in a location that would clearly no longer have community support.”

Mayor Brodie pointed to the lack of transparency about five other possible sites government apparently reviewed prior to returning to the Cambie/Sexsmith location. “Neither Council nor City staff have been told the location of those five sites, nor how they were supposedly evaluated,” said Brodie.

The proposed government-funded project, led by BC Housing on City-owned land, would have provided 90 units of permanent supportive housing for those currently residing in two temporary supportive housing buildings, Alderbridge and Aster Place. Those facilities are also funded by BC Housing with leases expiring in late 2027.