Richmond housing shortage has social service agency in crisis mode
Mayor Malcolm Brodie says city has secured 1,400 housing units and spent $44M on senior and at-risk housing
A social service agency in Richmond, B.C., says it's stretched to the limit trying to keep up with a dramatic rise in people seeking a place to live.
CHIMO Services executive director Diane Sugars says her organization's focus isn't even housing — it's helping families in crisis and women and children experiencing domestic violence.
But the issue has become its focus by default because Richmond's rental vacancy rate is at less than one per cent.
"Since last year, we've seen an almost 50 per cent increase in requests for finding housing," Sugars told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn.
Sugars says Richmond sees homelessness caused by mental health problems and addiction, but they also see seniors living in their cars and families whose home has been sold and left with only a few weeks to move.
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She says in recent weeks, they have tried to prevent three single mothers from going homeless. One was living in her car, one lived in her church and another had to use Airbnb until her money ran out.
'Not being a good neighbour'
Sugars went before Richmond City Council last week to tell them of the increasing demands on her staff.
She says the city is "not being a good neighbour" because many residents aren't able to find a home and are forced to move to other cities and take up housing there.
"Their response was this is a provincial issue and that's where we should go for assistance," she said. "My feeling is our mayor, Mayor Brodie, should take a leadership role in ending homelessness in Richmond because it can be done."
Brodie says he feels the city is doing all it can.He says the city has secured 1,400 low-income housing units and has spent over $44 million for seniors housing and housing for at-risk families, among other actions.
"But it's an endless challenge that you have," Brodie said.
The city is focused on densifying to create more homes, Brodie says, and new developments are required to have a minimum of five out of 80 units of affordable housing.
With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast
To hear the interview with Diane Sugars, click the audio labelled: Diane Sugars on Richmond's housing problems
To hear the interview with Malcolm Brodie, click the audio labelled: Malcolm Brodie on Richmond's housing problems