Donnie Rosa, Atira CEO, Raises Concerns Over Mayor Sim’s Proposal to Freeze Supportive Housing Developments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 24, 2025
Contact:
Tannaz Alesafar
Director of Communications
Atira Women’s Resource Society
Phone: 604-830-1923
Email: tannaz_alesafar@atira.bc.ca
Vancouver, BC —As a nonprofit organization committed to supporting those affected by gender-based violence, including women, children, and gender-diverse individuals, we are particularly concerned about the recent announcement from Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. His proposal aims to freeze new supportive housing developments in the Downtown Eastside as part of a revitalization plan. While we have not been informed that any of Atira’s projects with the city are at risk, we are worried that this decision may leave Vancouver’s most vulnerable populations exposed to even more harm. We recognize that there will be an entire public process at city council where this proposal will be discussed, but we feel it’s crucial to raise our concerns now, as the need for supportive housing is urgent.
Supportive housing is not just about providing shelter—it’s about offering a safe and stable foundation for those who need it most. Without these options, the consequences are dire, especially for women and gender diverse folx, many of whom are fleeing abusive relationships. We know that:
- 90% of families using emergency shelters are headed by single women.
- Intimate partner violence in Canada has risen for seven consecutive years leading up to 2021.
- Women are more likely to rely on precarious and unsafe housing situations, such as couch surfing or trading sex for shelter.
- Hundreds of Canadian women give birth while living on the streets or in shelters each year.
- Approximately 50% of all young homeless women will become pregnant within their first year of homelessness.
- There are less women-specific shelters in Vancouver than there are men-specific shelters (17% of beds are women-specific while 44% are men-specific).
I would also like to respectfully respond to Mayor Sim’s recent statement regarding the hundreds of millions of dollars spent, which suggested that these resources have not resulted in meaningful change. We recognize and appreciate the mayor’s focus on ensuring our city’s resources are used effectively. However, we believe these investments have made a significant, positive impact—not only for Atira, but also for the thousands of people supported by RainCity, Portland Hotel Society, Community Impact Real Estate, Lookout Housing + Health Society, The Bloom Group, Union Gospel Mission, YWCA, and our countless other community partners who provide critical, lifesaving services to those in need.
Atira supports an average of 8,000 individuals annually. We are proud of our important partnerships with the city, including initiatives like Aoki Ross House and Sereena’s Housing for Women, and the vital services we provide at sites like Oppenheimer Park, where people access basic needs like washrooms and food.
The growing need for housing and support services is widespread, not just in Vancouver, but also in areas like Surrey, Richmond, Port Coquitlam, where Atira also operates. We are forced to turn away more than 5,000 individuals seeking support each year due to a lack of capacity. At this time, we are uncertain how pausing the construction of new supportive housing units in Vancouver will help those who are struggling to secure housing for themselves and their families. What we do know is that this pause—amid a province-wide housing crisis—jeopardizes the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable populations and puts many at risk of further violence.
We urge the mayor to outline a clear plan for addressing the immediate needs of our unhoused community members. We stand ready to work with the city and all stakeholders to create a solution that balances revitalization with the urgent need for more supportive housing.
Sincerely,
Donnie Rosa
CEO, Atira Women’s Resource Society
(they/she)