Controversial Richmond, B.C., supportive housing project gets go-ahead after months of wrangling [Video]

A supportive housing project in Richmond, B.C., will be built in its original location after it was paused by the province for months over an ostensible lack of public consultation.

The six-storey project at Cambie and Sexsmith roads featured up to 90 studios for those experiencing homelessness near the Aberdeen Centre, but it raised concerns from some in the community over alleged open drug use and public safety.

In late August, the B.C. government paused the project as it said it wanted to take a step back and hear from the community — a move that was slammed as politically motivated by a Richmond councillor, coming as it did a month before the provincial election.

Now, the province says the project will proceed in its original location after all, after staff evaluated five other locations and determined they wouldn’t meet the needs of the community.

The months of wrangling over the project has left Richmond’s mayor frustrated. Malcolm Brodie says the province …