60-68 Sixth Street

A supportive housing project is being explored by the City and BC Housing, with the intention to submit a grant application in 2021 to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's third round of Rapid Housing Initiative program. The project site includes 68 Sixth Street (owned by BC Housing) and 60 Sixth Street, which is a small strip of land the City owns adjacent to 68 Sixth Street.

The concept includes a four-storey modular building. The project would provide 52 supportive housing units, along with limited exterior programming space (e.g. a gazebo for residents to smoke). Supports provided to residents would include: meal programs, access to laundry facilities, access to 24/7 support staff, life skills and employment training, referrals to other community services, access to health supports, and on-site medical supports. An operator for the building has not yet been selected, but will be done so by an open Request for Proposals in the coming months. BC Housing anticipates having two on-site staff to operate the building, as well as other building support staff as needed (e.g. cook, cleaners). Very limited, if any, parking would be able to be accommodated on-site.

Click here to view the preliminary concept site plan.

The project would require a site consolidation, rezoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment. 68 Sixth Street is currently zoned Commercial (C-4) and designated Mixed Use High Density in the Downtown Community Plan, which includes “mixed-use (commercial and/or residential) throughout Downtown, outside of Columbia Historic Mixed-Use, retail, office, service or residential and any combination of the above (can be one use or multiple uses)”. As commercial uses cannot be accommodated within the modular building and the limited site size, an OCP amendment to permit non-commercial uses at grade would be required.

There will be an opportunity for the community to learn more about the proposed homes with supports at information sessions later this fall. Information on session dates and times will be posted to this webpage when confirmed.

The site is located along Sixth Street, which is a Great Street identified in the City of New Westminster's Master Transportation Plan and OCP. Immediately adjacent to the west is a four-storey, 33-unit residential and commercial building, and to the south is a two-storey car service shop. To the north, across the Agnes Street Greenway, is a four-storey commercial building with retail on street level and offices above. Across Sixth Street to the east are two-storey commercial buildings.

Staff from BC Housing and the City are currently working through the project concept development for 68 Sixth Street. Senior government funding is needed to proceed with this project; the City cannot afford this project without significant funding assistance. As a result, there is an expectation from senior government that the City will expedite processing of municipal bylaw amendments and permitting as a requirement to access funding.