Mayor Sullivan and Councillor Kim Capri welcomed a progress report on Project Civil City and are supporting new initiatives to reduce public disorder, improve heritage neighbourhoods and provide services to youth at-risk in the Downtown Eastside.
Project Civil City represents the City of Vancouver’s plan to use the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as a catalyst to address homelessness and improve public order. Civil City Commissioner Geoff Plant provided a progress report to City Council that included references to:
- establishment of “StreettoHome Foundation” to encourage private sector investment in social housing
- crime-free housing
- graffiti management collaboration with BC Hydro
- expansion of safer parking initiative
- positive ticketing campaign
- $10 million “Great Beginnings” fund for heritage neighbourhoods
In addition to receiving the progress report, Mayor and Councillor Capri welcomed a series of new initiatives to help achieve Project Civil City goals, including:
- expansion of Ambassador Program in Cambie Village, Gastown, South Granville, West End, Yaletown and South Hill/Fraser Street business districts
- $34,000 for youth outreach services in the Downtown Eastside
- $500,000 for five heritage improvement projects in Chinatown to renovate buildings, create seniors’ housing and improve storefronts
These initiatives complement many others announced over the past year, including:
- funding to hire close to 100 new police officers in Vancouver
- street closures to improve public order in entertainment district
- development of 12 city-owned sites for social and supportive housing
- expansion of homeless outreach programs
- reduced red tape for faith-based communities that provide support to homeless
- more than $30 million from federal government for drug treatment and mental illness
