Construction to begin on new homeless modular housing in False Creek Flats

City of Vancouver staff have just provided the final approval needed to allow for the construction of a new temporary modular housing development at the easternmost edge of the False Creek Flats.

A pair of three-storey modular housing buildings will be constructed at the city-owned industrial property at 1580 Vernon Drive — the northwest corner of the intersection of Clark Drive and East 1st Avenue.

• See also:
  • Former Army & Navy store amongst two new Vancouver homeless shelter sites
  • Days Inn on Kingsway acquired by City of Vancouver for homeless housing
  • 140 homes for the homeless proposed next to future Arbutus Station in Kitsilano
  • 90 homes for the homeless proposed for King Edward Avenue and Knight Street corner
  • Plans to use Jericho Hostel in West Point Grey as a homeless shelter now cancelled

There will be a total of 98 temporary modular supportive homes for those who are currently experiencing homelessness or in shelters.

Construction will begin later this month for an anticipated opening this summer.

Site of 1580 Vernon Drive, Vancouver. (City of Vancouver)

Site of 1580 Vernon Drive, Vancouver. (Google Maps)

Similar to other temporary modular housing structures in the city, these homes will be about 320 sq ft in size, complete with a kitchenette, bathroom, living and sleeping area, and individual heating.

Residents will have access to large indoor amenity space, laundry facilities, and other supportive services. Community Builders Group has been selected as the non-profit housing operator of this complex.

The new building will have enhanced exterior lighting, preserve as many existing trees as possible, and incorporate landscaping along the front of the building to provide screening to bolster privacy.

East 1st Avenue’s Grandview Viaduct is immediately to the south, while Clark Drive is also on a higher grade than the development site.

This project is a part of the provincial government’s strategy. It will see 98 temporary modular homes at this particular site, and 350 permanent supportive homes completed through Housing BC. First announced in September 2020, the initiative will supplement previously built modular and supportive housing.

Last month, the municipal and provincial governments also announced plans to open two new temporary homeless shelters, including at a city-owned warehouse location at 875 Terminal Avenue — just to the west of the modular housing site.

• See also:
  • Former Army & Navy store amongst two new Vancouver homeless shelter sites
  • Days Inn on Kingsway acquired by City of Vancouver for homeless housing
  • 140 homes for the homeless proposed next to future Arbutus Station in Kitsilano
  • 90 homes for the homeless proposed for King Edward Avenue and Knight Street corner
  • Plans to use Jericho Hostel in West Point Grey as a homeless shelter now cancelled