Vancouver city council approved in principle a homelessness strategy in which the city would donate a dozen parcels of land worth $50 million for the development of 1,500 low-cost apartments.

The report, co-authored by Ken Dobell, a top aide to Premier Gordon Campbell and a former city manager, calls on the province to spend $48 million a year to build and maintain the small housing units for low-income singles.

Non-Partisan Association Coun. Suzanne Anton said selling or leasing the land at no cost is the only way for the city to get the money from Victoria.
 
"What this is doing is demonstrating our commitment, and forming a partnership with the provincial government," she said.
 
The report also calls on the city to spend $5 million toward the purchase and operation of 500 single-room-occupancy (SRO) units.

As many as 3,000 new units of low-cost housing could be provided in Vancouver over the next 10 years, the report said, with private donations from individuals and corporations expected to bring in another $20 million to $30 million.

Dissenting Vision Vancouver Coun. Tim Stevenson said the report basically recommends the downloading of a provincial responsibility onto the city.

"They're saying it's a new way of thinking, that we accept responsibility because it's happening in our backyard. Well, of course it's happening in our backyard, everything happens in our backyard."

NPA councillors and the mayor voted 6-5 to pass the report in principle — which now goes to public consultation.