vancouver needs housing, not more excuses: help support this petition

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-7775

Thousands of people in Vancouver are living without permanent housing. Some are sleeping outside, some are staying in shelters, and others are moving from one temporary place to another, never knowing where they will be safe next.

The Downtown Eastside is a community living with the consequences of a housing crisis that has gone on for far too long. Poverty, trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, discrimination and stigma cannot be addressed properly when people do not have a safe, stable place to live.

A petition has been presented calling on the House of Commons to take action. It needs public support.

what is this petition about?

This is a formal petition asking Canada's federal government to provide increased funding to British Columbia so the province can expand its Housing First program and create more permanent, appropriate housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Housing First means that people are helped into stable housing without having to first prove they are sober, overcome addiction or resolve every other difficulty in their lives. The principle is that having a safe place to live can provide the foundation for addressing other challenges.

People may also need ongoing mental health care, addiction services, medical care and practical support. Different people have different needs, and housing should reflect that.

what are they asking the federal government to do?

The petition calls for at least 3,500 additional housing units over five years, divided into three categories:

1,000 supportive housing units

Permanent homes with access to ongoing support services for people who need assistance to maintain their housing and improve their quality of life.

500 complex-care housing units

Housing for people with significant, overlapping needs who may require more intensive, coordinated health and social supports.

2,000 deeply affordable homes

Homes with rent subsidies so that eligible residents pay no more than one-third of their net monthly income toward rent.

These are not just numbers. They represent the possibility of a front door, a safe bed, a place to prepare food, privacy, dignity and an opportunity to rebuild a life.

why does federal funding matter?

Housing is expensive, and building thousands of homes requires sustained funding and cooperation between governments.

The petition asks the federal government to provide additional funding to British Columbia and its agencies, specifically prioritizing Housing First and the creation of these 3,500 homes.

The petition also refers to a May 2026 Superior Court ruling as a reason governments must take their housing obligations seriously. The ruling's precise implications should be checked against the court decision itself, but the broader demand is clear: governments must take meaningful action to address inadequate housing and discrimination.

how can you help?

• Read the petition. Understand what it asks for and who is organizing it.
• Sign it if you are eligible. Follow the petition's official instructions and provide any required information.
• Share it. Send the petition link to friends, family, community groups and anyone concerned about homelessness.
• Talk about it. Ask your elected representatives what they are doing to increase permanent housing and fund the supports people need.
• Keep following up. Real change requires more than promises. It requires funding, homes being built and people actually getting housed.

Please note that a formal House of Commons petition has specific signing and submission rules. Follow the instructions on the official petition page.

don't look away

People experiencing homelessness are not disposable. They are members of our communities, and they deserve safety, dignity and a place to call home.

We cannot keep treating homelessness as though it is an unavoidable feature of city life. Nor can we expect people to recover from trauma, illness or addiction while leaving them without the security of a home.

Three thousand five hundred homes would be a meaningful step. It would not solve every problem, but it would give thousands of people a better chance.

If you believe housing is a basic human need, help make this petition visible. Read it, sign it if eligible, share it and ask our governments to act.

A home is more than a roof. It is a foundation for living.

Petition e-7775: Vancouver homelessness and housing crisis

Sponsored by MP Jenny Kwan · Vancouver East

The petition opened on September 29, 2026, and is scheduled to close on January 27, 2027. 

The petition calls for federal funding for 3,500 housing units over five years. Follow the official page's eligibility and signing instructions.