The BC Government has announced that the province plans to build 996 affordable housing units. The province is purchasing ten Single Room Occupancy Hotels in Vancouver and one in Victoria, as well as building three supportive housing on sites owned by the city of Vancouver, and converting four buildings in Victoria and Burnaby to supportive housing. Some advocates are concerned that "supportive housing" means that tenants will not be covered under the Residential Tenancy Act, as well the purchase of the hotels does not create new housing, only stabilizes existing housing units. For more information:

• BC government press release - "Province to Protect 996 Affordable Housing Units,"
• A CBC story - "$80M pledged to target homelessness in B.C"
• A story in the Tyee - "Province Snaps Up Poverty Hotels"
• Downtown Eastside Womens' Centre - Power to Women Group - "Women Respond to Government Announcement"