Uplifting Chinatown Strategic Priority Grants
Motion 8 · Council Meeting, May 9, 2023
Summary
- Council is asked to approve four strategic priority grants totalling $387,000 to support pilot projects under the Uplifting Chinatown Action Plan, which Council approved in January 2023.
- Three grants totalling $210,000 are funded from the City's 2023 Operating Budget: $150,000 to Chinatown BIA for enhanced private-property graffiti removal, $50,000 to Chinatown BIA to develop a Safewalk program for residents (particularly Chinese-speaking seniors), and $10,000 to the Chinese Community Policing Centre to expand its volunteer graffiti removal program.
- A fourth grant of $177,000, funded through provincial Great Beginnings dollars, goes to EMBERS Eastside Works to formally integrate the existing Chinatown Community Stewards Program into the Action Plan; stewards provide business liaison, de-escalation, tourist assistance, and outreach to people experiencing homelessness.
- All pilot projects are required to track performance metrics (e.g., response times, volunteer hours, number of requests) to inform future program decisions city-wide.
- The Safewalk program is specifically designed to address safety barriers faced by low-income, Chinese-speaking seniors who may face language and systemic obstacles accessing support.
- Staff recommend approval as a critical next step in implementing the Action Plan, with the full $2.16 million Action Plan budget having already been approved as part of the 2023 Operating Budget.