Published: February 14, 2018
Officials took journalists on a tour of the temporary apartment block, built of prefabricated units, that is nearing completion in the south Vancouver neighbourhood.
The city approved the 78 units of social housing at Heather Street and 59th Avenue last fall. Each unit’s kitchen has a stovetop and microwave oven. Fourteen wheelchair-accessible units are about 25 sq. ft. larger. The buildings both feature a 770 sq. ft. common area, dining space and shared laundry.
Mayor Gregor Robertson said the primary goal of the temporary housing is to immediately address Metro Vancouver’s homelessness emergency — 3,605 people in the region at last count, including 2,138 in Vancouver — by bringing some of Marpole’s most vulnerable indoors. Tenants will be 45 years and older, people with disabilities and homeless living in the local neighbourhood.
B.C. Housing is now vetting tenants, who are expected to start moving in before the month is over.
Source: Vancouver unveils Marpole temporary modular housing | Vancouver Sun