Debate Grows in New Westminster Over Planned Tiny Home Village for Unhoused Residents

A planned tiny home village for unhoused residents in New Westminster is facing opposition from some nearby residents, even as officials and housing advocates argue the project is a necessary step toward addressing homelessness in the region.

The development, backed by BC Housing, will be built at 502 20th Street near the Queensborough Bridge. Construction of the modular housing units is expected to begin later this month, with the site anticipated to open by the end of the year.

The transitional housing project will feature 30 small housing units, staffed around the clock with support workers and services designed to help residents stabilize their lives and eventually transition into permanent housing.

The homes will be constructed using repurposed shipping containers previously used for a similar tiny home community in Victoria.

Some residents voice concerns

While officials say the project fills a critical need, some neighbours worry about its impact on the surrounding area.

Local resident Barb Quon said she is concerned about safety in the neighbourhood and questioned whether the site is appropriate for housing vulnerable residents.

“They should not put these homes in a residential area, especially on a dead-end street,” she said.

Another nearby resident, Daniel Millar, said he felt consultation with the community was limited before the project moved forward.

“We've lived in places with these problems before, and it's not necessarily a good thing,” he said. However, Millar added that he still supports efforts to provide housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Officials say the model works

Patrick Johnstone said the project complies with the city’s official community plan and therefore did not require a rezoning process.

The site is located about a 15-minute walk from the 22nd Street SkyTrain Station and sits near a rail yard and bridge infrastructure, locations officials say are often considered for projects requiring larger land areas in dense urban environments.

Johnstone said tiny home villages have proven to be effective in helping people transition off the streets.

“It’s really a self-contained little village,” he said. “There are meals, support staff and services all available on-site. It creates a small community where people can stabilize their lives.”

Advocates say housing is urgently needed

Jack York, chair of the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society, said projects like the proposed village are essential given the shortage of supportive housing across the region.

He acknowledged that neighbourhood concerns are common when transitional housing is proposed but said communities must work together to address homelessness.

“If this facility isn’t placed in this neighbourhood, it will have to go into another neighbourhood that will probably also have concerns and fears,” York said.

Province backs expansion of tiny home model

Christine Boyle said the tiny home village model has shown positive results in communities such as Kelowna and Victoria.

She said residents will have access to a range of supports including meals, life skills training, health care services and connections to addiction recovery programs.

“Staff will be on site every day to help residents and connect them with the resources they need to move forward,” Boyle said.

The province currently has about 1,500 temporary housing units either operating or under development across British Columbia, part of a broader effort to address the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis.

Still, similar proposals have faced resistance in other municipalities. For example, city councillors in Penticton rejected a tiny homes proposal last year.

Community meeting planned

To address concerns and answer questions, BC Housing plans to host a community open house on March 19 about the New Westminster project.

Officials say the session will give residents an opportunity to learn more about the development and the support services that will be provided once the village opens.