Government Stalls Olympic Housing
Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC
GOVERNMENT STALLS OLYMPIC HOUSING
Yesterday, the British Columbia Government announced that it was rejecting all three bids to operate the affordable housing component at Olympic Village.
While one bid was to operate the affordable units as a housing cooperative and which Minister Rich Coleman properly asserts is not part of the government's mandate but why another bid from the Portland Community Services was rejected makes no sense.
The Portland has a credible reputation operating its significant housing portfolio and their buildings are safe and secure for tenants residing in them.
Moreover, the Leadership at the Portland is strong and competent. Mark Townsend and Liz Evans are well respected and known for improving community life for many.
The Portland also operates a number of business operations including the Potluck and Radio Station cafes, a low cost food store plus the successful Interurban Art Gallery.
Mr Townsend and Ms Evans have been in leadership positions with the Portland since 1990 and they have overseen tremendous growth while successfully overseeing a portfolio budget now in the millions of dollars.
With winter approaching and people in need of affordable housing it seems negligent on the part of government to reject the Portland bid and hopefully after some sober second thought will re-examine its decision and award the affordable housing to the Portland Hotel Society.
Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com
posted by Jamie Lee Hamilton @ 11:44 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I can only hope that this reticence on the Gov't behalf has more to do with their recent forced intervention in dealing with DERA, than the personalities, or capacities of the PHS.
What we need is a solid light looking into all the nooks & crannies of the social housing operations in the DTES.
As for the Olympic village, can we really afford to have some of the "usual suspect" getting their hooks in there?
I don't think so. I can't imagine the city going it alone would have any positive outcomes either.
Thanks again for your thoughts on this and the many other issues you examine.
Maybe so, but DERA and PHS are not that different. I'm sure that any of the DTES Housing providers want lights shining into the nooks and crannies of their operations, PHS included.
Yet that is EXACTLY what is needed
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