Premier Gordon Campbell

Government of British Columbia

PO Box 9049 Stn Prov Govt Room 128 Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

June 24, 2009

Re: Completing the 14 city-owned social housing sites in Vancouver

Dear Premier Campbell:

We are property and business owners in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and neighbouring
communities who wish to applaud your support for social housing. Your March 2009
announcement that construction will begin on six out of the fourteen sites provided by the city,
demonstrates that your government is seriously working at providing social housing that is key to
building our healthy community.

In accord with your vision that each homeless person in Canada diminishes us; we too believe
that every citizen in our neighbourhood deserves a home. We have joined together to form a
group called Just Build It, to advocate for the:
1. Implementation of social housing commitments
2. Replacement of SRO hotels with social housing in the Downtown Eastside at a more
reasonable pace than is currently being practiced. (DTES residents will be condemned
to live in SROs for 53 years based on the current replacement rate).
Just Build It wishes to demonstrate that homeowners and business people support social
housing in our neighbourhood.

We are deeply concerned by the recent news that the status of the other sites are “nowhere near
being ready for this year.” (as reported in the Vancouver Sun on June 18). We would like an
update on the status of the other eight sites in the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) signed
with the City of Vancouver on October 27, 2007. We have heard that the pre-development for
these sites that was committed by you in this MOU has been slowed down; we understand that
go ahead for the zoning applications has only recently been given by BC Housing. Almost 2
years to get to this point seems incomprehensible.

Mr. Premier, we do applaud the process and support your government has provided to get the
first six sites underway, and are looking for the same with the other eight sites that have been
identified. We would like your continued commitment to support the completion of the plans for
all sites in the MOU. Construction needs to begin as soon as possible, so that our neighbours will
have the housing they need. We look forward to your response, and the opportunity to support
your commitment to social housing in Vancouver.

Sincerely,

Karen Barnaby Chef Gastown

Bruce Clarkson Gastown
Dee Duncan Gastown
Sanford Hirshen Architect Oppenheimer
Laurie Kindiak CG artist/filmmaker Strathcona
David Lee Business Consultant Gastown
Bob McAfee CG animation instructor Strathcona
Colleen Miller Business Owner Gastown
Patricia Morris Training Consultant Oppenheimer
Joel Solomon Renewal Partners Oppenheimer
Mike Wartman Intern Architect Victory Square
Elvin Wyly Associate Professor, UBC Thornton Park