Centre for Civic Governance

Portland's Pearl District Provides Affordable Housing to Local Residents

Gentrification of a neighbourhood usually results in displacement of low-income residents, but the revitalization of Portland's Pearl District avoided that outcome by building a substantial amount of affordable housing. The result is a vibrant, mixed income community. Read more here.

 

Vancouver Considering Building Modular Housing to Address Affordable Housing Shortage

Vancouver City Council is looking into building modular housing as a short term solution to housing the homeless. Although construction is under way on several affordable housing projects across the city, completion of these units is still years away. Modular housing has the capacity to become permanent housing if need be. Read more in the Vancouver Sun.

Former Vancouver Mayor Recieves City's Highest Honour

On July 6th, former Vancouver Mayor, Art Phillips receievd the Freedom of the City Award. Under Mayor Phillips, the City of Vancouver adopted socially and environmentally progressive policies that laid out the foundation for what is today one of the most livable cities in the world.

Suburbs Still Booming

According to a recent Statistics Canada report people continue to move to the suburbs in large numbers. The largest migration was seen amongst new parents, those in the 25-44 age bracket and those with incomes between $70,000 and $90,000. Read article in the Vancouver Sun.

A Tale of Three CIties

Recent study by the Neptis Foundation studies three very different trends in city planning and growth. The study examines Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Read Globe and Mail article here.

Living Wage Calculation Now at $18.17 Hour

Read article in today's Vancouver Sun that explains why the living wage calculation has gone up from $16.74 in 2008, to today's living wage, $18.17 in 2010.

Affordable Housing in Canada a Struggle

Twenty per cent of Canadian households have trouble finding the money to live in their homes because of a lack of affordable housing, the Conference Board of Canada says.

In Tight Times, Campbell Gov't Chooses to Help Big Banks

Inept budgeters axed $100 million yearly tax revenue from fat financial institutions. And it gets worse.

It used to be said of the New Democrats (when they were in government during the 1990s), that, such was their lack of business and financial expertise, they couldn't run a lemonade stand.

Sadly, with Gordon Campbell and his BC Liberals, British Columbia today has a government whose fiscal acumen is so abysmal, so evidently lacking, that they appear incapable of operating any business enterprise of any size.

'Red Tent' Campaign Planned for Homeless during Olympics

 Pivot Legal wants city to let it provide 500 tents to people sleeping on Vancouver's streets.   Picture homeless people camped on downtown sidewalks. Big yawns inside bright red tents as the sun rises on another Olympics day. Early next month, Pivot Legal Society hopes to ask city council's permission to start handing out 500 collapsible shelters to Vancouver's most needy. Pivot's rights activists want to confront a city enthralled by Olympic jubilation with the reality of local poverty. And test the limits of constitutional law.

Village Vancouver Website

Village Vancouver inspires individuals and organizations to take actions that build resilient and sustainable communities. We support ideas and initiatives to strengthen neighbourhoods and to promote social, environmental and economic change in the face of profound ecological stress/crisis. We encourage individuals and groups to unite and collaborate in support of common goals and actions...and to have fun together!