Final motion as amended:
A2. Housing is Healthcare
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
A. THAT Council direct staff to share with relevant authorities in the Provincial Ministries of Health and Housing respectively, the substance of this motion and City’s willingness to consider the needs of British Columbians requiring longer-term accommodations for specialized medical treatment, in our planning and permitting processes, especially in transit oriented areas adjacent and proximate to major medical centres including BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital and the new St. Paul’s Campus.
B. FURTHER THAT Council request the Mayor write a letter to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Housing, expressing the City of Vancouver’s willingness to help support the creation of this important longer term medical housing stock, provided the provincial government has an interest in funding, and administering housing of this nature.
C. AND FURTHER THAT the following be submitted to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association for consideration as a resolution at the Union of BC Municipalities 2024 Convention, with the above whereas clauses submitted as background:
Housing is Healthcare
WHEREAS every year hundreds of British Columbians are diagnosed with chronic conditions and diseases that necessitate specialized medical treatment requiring long term stays near but not in hospital, there are disparities in health outcomes between rural and urban patients;
AND WHEREAS residents of rural and remote communities in British Columbia requiring specialized medical treatment for complex care in urban centres face significant challenges including high travel and accommodation costs, the psychosocial impacts of healthcare away from home and community, the loss of income during treatment period, and increasingly limited availability of affordable accommodations, hotel rooms, or short term rentals;
AND WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia, reflected in its 2024 mandate, is committed to both improved health care for British Columbians when they need it, and attainable and affordable housing to deliver more homes for people faster:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM advocate for the Provincial Government of British Columbia to alleviate the financial and logistical burdens associated with seeking specialized medical care far from home by developing and implementing comprehensive policies and programs to assist patients needing to travel for healthcare, and ensure that patients have access to affordable, comfortable, and convenient accommodations.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM request the Province consider and implement ways to deliver and dedicate subsidized accommodations in and adjacent to large urban health centres specifically purposed for longer term specialized medical treatment.
