Go Back

Crisis Response Bylaw Amendments & Housing Projects in Downtown and Queensborough

Share Crisis Response Bylaw Amendments & Housing Projects in Downtown and Queensborough on Facebook Share Crisis Response Bylaw Amendments & Housing Projects in Downtown and Queensborough on Twitter Share Crisis Response Bylaw Amendments & Housing Projects in Downtown and Queensborough on Linkedin Email Crisis Response Bylaw Amendments & Housing Projects in Downtown and Queensborough link

Consultation has concluded


Project Update, December 2021: A Public Hearing was held on December 6, 2021, after which Council supported (gave Third Reading to) the rezoning bylaws and Official Community Plan amendments for all three projects.

Click here to view the Public Hearing and Council Meeting recordings from December 6, and click here to read the Council package and all public correspondence received.


What's being proposed?

The City of New Westminster is bundling three separate, but closely related, projects into one review and consultation process in the interest of moving quickly to meet current and near-future funding deadlines, as well as respond more readily to urgent needs in the community.


  1. Potential city-wide bylaw amendments to allow more rapid response on projects meeting specific criteria and addressing an identified emergency or crisis: Adoption of some general bylaw amendments would offer a way for the City to respond more quickly to current crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, recent fires and heat waves, the overdose crisis, the regional homelessness crisis - and any other future crises. The proposed Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw amendments would be limited by projects that meet all four of the following criteria: property owned by the City or other government agency; project funded by government; project operated by non-profit or public agency; project must address needs identified through a Provincial emergency declaration or crisis publicly recognized by multiple Metro Vancouver municipalities. Click here for more information.

  2. Non-market housing on City-owned land at 350-366 Fenton Street in Queensborough: Rezoning and an Official Community Plan amendment are required to allow for this proposed partnership between the City and Vancouver Native Housing Society. The proposed project includes 58 units in a three-storey mutli-unit building with a mix of studios, one and two bedroom units. The building would be for Indigenous individuals and families, including providing spaces for women and children. Click here for more information.

  3. Supportive housing on Province-owned land at 60-68 Sixth Street in Downtown: Rezoning and an Official Community Plan amendment are required to allow for this proposed project of 52-units of modular homes with supports for adults at risk or experiencing homelessness. An experienced housing operator would be selected, and staff would be on site 24/7 to support residents and provide services. BC Housing would own the building. Click here for more information.


How can I engage?

The final opportunity for feedback on these projects before Council decides whether to approve them will be at the Monday, December 6, 2021 Public Hearing. You can submit your comments for Council as part of the Public Hearing process through the comment form below.


An initial comment period was open October 1 - 24, 2021. Click here for a summary of What We Heard from community members through the consultation.

The City hosted four different virtual information sessions to present the three proposed projects, address questions and hear from community members. Sessions were held October 5, 19, 20 and 21, 2021.

A recording of the October 5 information session is available. Click below to watch.



Project Update, December 2021: A Public Hearing was held on December 6, 2021, after which Council supported (gave Third Reading to) the rezoning bylaws and Official Community Plan amendments for all three projects.

Click here to view the Public Hearing and Council Meeting recordings from December 6, and click here to read the Council package and all public correspondence received.


What's being proposed?

The City of New Westminster is bundling three separate, but closely related, projects into one review and consultation process in the interest of moving quickly to meet current and near-future funding deadlines, as well as respond more readily to urgent needs in the community.


  1. Potential city-wide bylaw amendments to allow more rapid response on projects meeting specific criteria and addressing an identified emergency or crisis: Adoption of some general bylaw amendments would offer a way for the City to respond more quickly to current crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, recent fires and heat waves, the overdose crisis, the regional homelessness crisis - and any other future crises. The proposed Official Community Plan and zoning bylaw amendments would be limited by projects that meet all four of the following criteria: property owned by the City or other government agency; project funded by government; project operated by non-profit or public agency; project must address needs identified through a Provincial emergency declaration or crisis publicly recognized by multiple Metro Vancouver municipalities. Click here for more information.

  2. Non-market housing on City-owned land at 350-366 Fenton Street in Queensborough: Rezoning and an Official Community Plan amendment are required to allow for this proposed partnership between the City and Vancouver Native Housing Society. The proposed project includes 58 units in a three-storey mutli-unit building with a mix of studios, one and two bedroom units. The building would be for Indigenous individuals and families, including providing spaces for women and children. Click here for more information.

  3. Supportive housing on Province-owned land at 60-68 Sixth Street in Downtown: Rezoning and an Official Community Plan amendment are required to allow for this proposed project of 52-units of modular homes with supports for adults at risk or experiencing homelessness. An experienced housing operator would be selected, and staff would be on site 24/7 to support residents and provide services. BC Housing would own the building. Click here for more information.


How can I engage?

The final opportunity for feedback on these projects before Council decides whether to approve them will be at the Monday, December 6, 2021 Public Hearing. You can submit your comments for Council as part of the Public Hearing process through the comment form below.


An initial comment period was open October 1 - 24, 2021. Click here for a summary of What We Heard from community members through the consultation.

The City hosted four different virtual information sessions to present the three proposed projects, address questions and hear from community members. Sessions were held October 5, 19, 20 and 21, 2021.

A recording of the October 5 information session is available. Click below to watch.


Consultation has concluded

Do you have questions about the Crisis Response Bylaw Amendments, and/or 350-366 Fenton Street, and/or 60-68 Sixth Street? Please add them here and we will aim to reply within 5 business days. If we think your question would be of interest to others, we'll post your question and our response here. Thank you for taking the time to ask a question!

  • Share Many residents in this area have had negative experiences with assisted housing in the neighbourhood (e.g., the area around 740 Carnarvon St has become a hotspot for frequent open displays of substance abuse and petty crime). Calls for assistance from NWPD as a result of break-ins and theft appear to be treated as low-priority or zero priority. While most can probably get behind helping out those who are less fortunate, community members are understandably concerned by the proposition of this project (which is, of course, slightly different than the one referenced above) and the impact it is going to have on the neighbourhood. My questions are as follows: What assurances can the City of New Westminster provide to community members that this facility will not become another 'hot spot' of issues that make others in the area feel unsafe or vulnerable? Is NWPD going to be able to take a more active role in policing downtown New Westminster to assist? Do we have sufficient social support to assist the vulnerable in these areas and also make neighbours feel safe? on Facebook Share Many residents in this area have had negative experiences with assisted housing in the neighbourhood (e.g., the area around 740 Carnarvon St has become a hotspot for frequent open displays of substance abuse and petty crime). Calls for assistance from NWPD as a result of break-ins and theft appear to be treated as low-priority or zero priority. While most can probably get behind helping out those who are less fortunate, community members are understandably concerned by the proposition of this project (which is, of course, slightly different than the one referenced above) and the impact it is going to have on the neighbourhood. My questions are as follows: What assurances can the City of New Westminster provide to community members that this facility will not become another 'hot spot' of issues that make others in the area feel unsafe or vulnerable? Is NWPD going to be able to take a more active role in policing downtown New Westminster to assist? Do we have sufficient social support to assist the vulnerable in these areas and also make neighbours feel safe? on Twitter Share Many residents in this area have had negative experiences with assisted housing in the neighbourhood (e.g., the area around 740 Carnarvon St has become a hotspot for frequent open displays of substance abuse and petty crime). Calls for assistance from NWPD as a result of break-ins and theft appear to be treated as low-priority or zero priority. While most can probably get behind helping out those who are less fortunate, community members are understandably concerned by the proposition of this project (which is, of course, slightly different than the one referenced above) and the impact it is going to have on the neighbourhood. My questions are as follows: What assurances can the City of New Westminster provide to community members that this facility will not become another 'hot spot' of issues that make others in the area feel unsafe or vulnerable? Is NWPD going to be able to take a more active role in policing downtown New Westminster to assist? Do we have sufficient social support to assist the vulnerable in these areas and also make neighbours feel safe? on Linkedin Email Many residents in this area have had negative experiences with assisted housing in the neighbourhood (e.g., the area around 740 Carnarvon St has become a hotspot for frequent open displays of substance abuse and petty crime). Calls for assistance from NWPD as a result of break-ins and theft appear to be treated as low-priority or zero priority. While most can probably get behind helping out those who are less fortunate, community members are understandably concerned by the proposition of this project (which is, of course, slightly different than the one referenced above) and the impact it is going to have on the neighbourhood. My questions are as follows: What assurances can the City of New Westminster provide to community members that this facility will not become another 'hot spot' of issues that make others in the area feel unsafe or vulnerable? Is NWPD going to be able to take a more active role in policing downtown New Westminster to assist? Do we have sufficient social support to assist the vulnerable in these areas and also make neighbours feel safe? link

    Many residents in this area have had negative experiences with assisted housing in the neighbourhood (e.g., the area around 740 Carnarvon St has become a hotspot for frequent open displays of substance abuse and petty crime). Calls for assistance from NWPD as a result of break-ins and theft appear to be treated as low-priority or zero priority. While most can probably get behind helping out those who are less fortunate, community members are understandably concerned by the proposition of this project (which is, of course, slightly different than the one referenced above) and the impact it is going to have on the neighbourhood. My questions are as follows: What assurances can the City of New Westminster provide to community members that this facility will not become another 'hot spot' of issues that make others in the area feel unsafe or vulnerable? Is NWPD going to be able to take a more active role in policing downtown New Westminster to assist? Do we have sufficient social support to assist the vulnerable in these areas and also make neighbours feel safe?

    asked about 3 years ago

    Hello and thank you for the question. Supportive housing locations are identified based on availability of property, and proximity to services, amenities and transit. Housing for people experiencing and at risk of homelessness also strive to meet people where they are at, providing connection to the resources that they need to work towards living a healthy, stable and more independent life. Should the project be approved, BC Housing and the non-profit operator are committed to being good neighbours and to contributing to a safe community, both inside and outside the proposed development. The supportive housing would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and all residents would sign an agreement in respect to expectations related to their residency.  The operator works closely with civic, health and social service agencies, and is proposing to establish a community advisory committee, which would include inviting neighbouring businesses and residents to apply. 

    Part of NWPD’s role in providing support in the downtown includes their Vulnerable Persons Liaison Officer, as well as working closely with City bylaw officers and an new outreach team from Lookout Society, to assist the vulnerable and provide additional on-street support. 

  • Share Regarding the 68 Sixth St supportive housing, will residents be prohibited (possibly via the mandatory "good neighbour agreement") from recreational substance use (alcohol and marijuana products)? Is it a good idea to build supportive housing less than two blocks from a liquor store and directly across the street from a cannabis retailer? on Facebook Share Regarding the 68 Sixth St supportive housing, will residents be prohibited (possibly via the mandatory "good neighbour agreement") from recreational substance use (alcohol and marijuana products)? Is it a good idea to build supportive housing less than two blocks from a liquor store and directly across the street from a cannabis retailer? on Twitter Share Regarding the 68 Sixth St supportive housing, will residents be prohibited (possibly via the mandatory "good neighbour agreement") from recreational substance use (alcohol and marijuana products)? Is it a good idea to build supportive housing less than two blocks from a liquor store and directly across the street from a cannabis retailer? on Linkedin Email Regarding the 68 Sixth St supportive housing, will residents be prohibited (possibly via the mandatory "good neighbour agreement") from recreational substance use (alcohol and marijuana products)? Is it a good idea to build supportive housing less than two blocks from a liquor store and directly across the street from a cannabis retailer? link

    Regarding the 68 Sixth St supportive housing, will residents be prohibited (possibly via the mandatory "good neighbour agreement") from recreational substance use (alcohol and marijuana products)? Is it a good idea to build supportive housing less than two blocks from a liquor store and directly across the street from a cannabis retailer?

    DavidVanspall asked about 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. Supportive housing locations are determined based on availability of property, and proximity to services, amenities and transit. Housing for people experiencing and at risk of homelessness needs to meet people where they are at, providing connection to the resources that they need to work towards living a healthy, stable and more independent life. In dense, urban areas such as Downtown New Westminster, this can mean there are a variety other uses nearby to a supportive housing project.  

    The supportive housing would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and all residents would sign an agreement in respect to expectations related to their residency. Residents would be able to make personal choices regarding their consumption habits as they do in any other rental building in New Westminster. BC Housing follows the widely recognized and proven Housing-First model. A harm-reduction approach means staff are available to support any residents who are in various phases of substance use. In order to help people who use substances, the goal is to first give them a safe and secure place to sleep, food to eat, and access to services so that they can move forward with their lives.