As part of the work being done by the Mayor's Task Force on Housing Affordability, re:THINK HOUSING, an open ideas competition, is being launched to generate a broader discussion of possibilities for Vancouver's affordable housing crisis. Aimed at everyone who has an interest in affordable housing, from the general public, to designers, planners and architects, to philanthropists, non profits and financial institutions, the Ideas Competition seeks to create the space for provocative, bold new ideas that address Vancouver's affordability challenge head-on. It's a chance to get new perspective on how we build an affordable city in Vancouver, and to garner ideas and possibilities for neighbourhood belonging and better connections across the City.

 

re:Think Housing:

“Affordable housing is one of the toughest challenges we face in Vancouver, and we need fresh, bold thinking in terms of how we build affordable options for the people who live and work in our city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “This competition is an important step to getting dynamic, maybe even controversial ideas into the public realm and hearing directly from our citizens.”

Applicants may submit proposals for public or private land in two categories: Building Bold, and Vibrant Neighbourhoods. Each proposal must explain how affordability will be maintained over the long term without government subsidy. It should also include ideas on how a project would protect and enhance green space; integrate with neighbourhoods; and be financially viable.

Winners will be selected by a five-member jury from the Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housingand the public will be able to vote online for their favorites in early July.

Winning submissions will be announced in late July, and a total of $8,000 in prize money will be distributed to the winners as selected by the jury. All winners will see their ideas published in Spacing Magazine.

As part of the new community planning processes and in support of re:THINK Housing, storytelling nights based on the theme “There’s No Place Like Home” are being held in three Vancouver neighbourhoods. The events, which are free and open to all Vancouverites, aim to inspire, entertain and motivate thinking about housing and community. The first one was held Tuesday night in Marpole, and two more are upcoming:

• Grandview-Woodland:  Friday, May 11, 7 – 10 pm, WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street 
  • Register at:  gwplanlaunch.eventbrite.ca
• West End:  Thursday, May 10, 7 – 10 pm, Denman Theatre, 1737 Comox Street
  • Register at:  westendplanlaunch.eventbrite.ca