A request for qualifications (RFQ) was issued for the renovation and restoration of 13 provincially-owned single room occupancy (SRO) hotels to improve the quality of life for residents and to extend the useful life of the buildings for a generation.

The RFQ represents the first stage in the competitive selection process that invites interested teams to submit responses indicating their interest in and qualifications for the project. The next step will be to identify a shortlist of up to three teams who will then be invited to submit proposals to design, build, finance and maintain the 13 SRO hotels. Property management and tenant support services for the SRO hotels will remain with the current non-profit operators.

The 13 SRO hotels are located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and are currently home to more than 900 residents. The project is expected to deliver numerous benefits and improvements for residents, including the quality of maintenance, services and programs delivered. The project also requires the preservation of SRO hotels with historical significance that form part of the City of Vancouver historical registry, including four listed on Parks Canada's National Historic Site registry.

The RFQ closes Dec. 8, 2011 and is available on B.C. Bid at: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca/open.dll/welcome

Quick Facts:

• Since launching Housing Matters BC in 2006 the Province has invested $86 million to acquire 24 SROs in Vancouver to protect an important source of affordable housing stock for low-income people in Vancouver.
• The Province has also invested approximately $65 million to this point to renovate the SROs to improve the approximately 1,400 rooms so that tenants have safe, secure and affordable places to live.

Contact:

Fergus McCann
Communications, BC Housing
778 452-6445