Developer says City Hall holding up his affordable micro suites proposal

WATCH: The cost of living is one of the biggest issues in Metro Vancouver. But as Catherine Urquhart reports, one developer says he has part of the solution, but he is getting nowhere with city hall.

A Vancouver developer says he’s trying to create affordable housing downtown but City Hall is putting up roadblocks.

John Stovell of Reliance Properties wants to build about 300 microsuites as part of a new development at Davie and Hornby but the city will not approve them.

“We’re upset when we see the signals coming from the politicians and the City of Vancouver about enhanced housing options and affordability and we know these units rent well they sell well,” says Stovell.

The developer’s first micro suite development in the Downtown Eastside was extremely successful, with suites of about 250 square feet renting for $850 a month.

The City of Vancouver’s Director of Planning, Brian Jackson, says he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of allowing more micro suites, but more study is needed on the impacts.

“We’re definitely not saying no, we think the project is interesting but we have to look at the consequences,” says Jackson.

Mayor Gregor Robertson continues to talk about the need for affordable housing in Vancouver and it was a major focus of the election campaign.

“The market is obviously intense but we have to make sure we look at all different opportunities,” says Robertson.

The city is doing a study on small housing alternatives with the results expected sometime in the new year.

“In our view they’re being far too cautious and taking far too long,” says Stovell.

Micro suites or not, there’s little doubt the demand for affordable housing in Vancouver will only increase in the years ahead.

— with files from Catherine Urquhart