2023 Graffiti Abatement BIA Grants

Motion 7 · Council Meeting, May 9, 2023

On Consent

Summary

Council is asked to approve up to $500,000 in graffiti abatement grants to all 22 Vancouver Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) for 2023, continuing a program that has run since 2021.
Funds can only be used for graffiti removal, mural creation and maintenance, anti-graffiti coatings, and related beautification — not for activities already covered by existing contracts.
Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $50,000 per BIA, allocated using a formula developed by the Vancouver BIA Partnership; the largest grants go to Chinatown BIA and Downtown Vancouver BIA ($50,000 each).
Graffiti levels remain elevated across the city following a pandemic-era spike, and BIAs collectively spend close to $1 million annually on graffiti-related work beyond this City funding.
Funding is already included in the approved 2023 Operating Budget, stemming from a commitment made in the January 2023 Uplifting Chinatown Action Plan.
Staff recommend approval, noting BIAs have flagged urgency to have funds in place before the 2023 summer season.