SRO Life Safety Grant (Vote 08981)

Summary

• Council is asked to approve a $110,000 grant to the Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society to fund a tenant-led fire safety pilot program across 18 SRO buildings, reaching approximately 740 residents.
• Structure fires in SROs have more than doubled since 2016, rising from 104 to 223 in 2022; SROs now account for 11% of all citywide fires, up from 7% in 2016, with 70% of incidents caused by smoking materials, lighters, candles, or matches.
• SRO residents face heightened fire risk due to aging building infrastructure, overloaded electrical systems, inadequate heating, e-bike lithium battery storage, limited egress, and tenant vulnerabilities including mobility challenges, disabilities, and substance use.
• The 2022 Winters Hotel fire killed two people and permanently displaced 71 tenants; six additional significant SRO fires in 2022 temporarily or permanently displaced over 400 residents combined.
• The grant-funded pilot complements ongoing fire safety education and prevention work being carried out jointly by Arts, Culture and Community Services, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, and Development, Buildings and Licensing.
• Funding comes from the 2023 City of Vancouver Operating Budget, and approval requires a two-thirds majority of Council under the Vancouver Charter.

Vote

Documents

• Report – Improving Life Safety in SROs: Updates and Grant to SRO-Collaborative
• Presentation