Homelessness in Vancouver has increased 12% under ABC. On day one, the Vancouver Liberals will reverse ABC’s cruel ban on supportive housing for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and people with low-barrier needs. In my Vancouver, we don’t ban any kind of housing! pic.twitter.com/vWfkdsnTHn

— Kareem Allam (@42kareemallam) September 18, 2025

A truly compassionate and caring city is measured not by the prosperity of its wealthiest citizens, but by how it treats its most vulnerable.

In Vancouver, the obligation to provide supportive housing and shelter for those without a home, for seniors, for veterans, and for persons with disabilities is not a matter of charity — it is a moral and civic responsibility. No one should be left to struggle on the streets or in unsafe, unstable conditions when we have the collective capacity to do better.

Supportive housing is more than just a roof over someone’s head. It is the foundation of dignity, stability, and health. For people living with mental illness, addictions, or physical disabilities, housing linked with services can be the difference between despair and recovery.

For seniors and veterans, many of whom have given so much to our communities, supportive housing ensures they are not left behind in their later years, but instead live with safety, respect, and connection.

The crisis of homelessness in Vancouver has reached levels that demand urgent action. Yet, municipalities cannot solve this challenge alone. That is why partnership with provincial and federal governments is critical.

The City of Vancouver must continue to press senior levels of government for sustainable investments in housing, shelter, and wraparound supports. With co-ordinated effort, resources, and political will, we can build more non-market housing, expand emergency shelter capacity, and provide permanent solutions that end the cycle of homelessness rather than simply managing it.

This obligation is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about values. If we claim to be a city defined by compassion, equity, and justice, then our policies must reflect that claim. The measure of a city’s greatness lies in how it uplifts its most vulnerable residents. Vancouver has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to lead the way in showing that no one is disposable, that everyone deserves a home, and that together, across all levels of government, we can create a city where compassion is more than a slogan, but a lived reality.