2 more temporary modular housing complexes coming to Vancouver

The province and the City of Vancouver are partnering to build two more temporary modular housing complexes to house people experiencing homelessness on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

The so-called "bridge-to-housing" projects will be located at 1500 Main St., near the intersection of Terminal Ave., and at 2132 Ash St., near the Olympic Village SkyTrain station. 

The combined 90 units will be arranged in single-storey, work-camp-like settings, which are quicker to construct compared to the more typical multi-storey temporary modular housing in the city. 

Both complexes are scheduled to open in March 2023 after fast-tracked development permitting, and will offer support services on-site. 

People living in shelters will be prioritized for the new units. 

"We need to do more to help people off the street into dignified shelters and then into stable housing where they can access health supports and rebuild their lives," said Premier David Eby.

The province is spending $6.9 million to construct and operate the two projects for three years, with the City of Vancouver providing the land. 

The Main Street complex announced Wednesday will be built next to 220 Terminal Ave., site of Vancouver's first temporary modular housing complex that opened in 2017. 

The two new projects will bring the total number of temporary modular housing complexes in the city to 18. 

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said the city is in the midst of one of the "greatest crises'' in its history, and today's announcement makes meaningful progress toward securing housing for the most vulnerable residents.

According to B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, the latest data puts the number of people in Vancouver living outside at around 475.

The 2020 Metro Vancouver homeless count found almost 2,100 people in Vancouver identified as homeless, with 547  living on the street. The 2021 and 2022 homeless counts were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past number of years, tent cities in Oppenheimer Park, Crab Park, Strathcona Park and on Hastings Street have pushed the issues of people experiencing homelessness and the housing crisis into the public eye.