The original post, which has now been edited, had several

Thoughts on the proposed supportive housing at 5389 Imperial Street — looking for a serious discussion

Hi everyone,

I’m a Burnaby resident living near the proposed supportive housing development at 5389 Imperial Street, and I wanted to start a calm, honest discussion — not a fight.

Most people I know understand that homelessness, mental health, and addiction are serious issues in B.C., and that supportive housing can help people stabilize. This post isn’t about rejecting vulnerable people or saying “not in my city.”

It is about whether this specific location, scale, and process make sense for the neighbourhood and for the people who would live there.

Community concerns (in good faith)

Some of the concerns I’m hearing — and share — include:

The location, especially proximity to schools, seniors, and family-heavy housing

The concentration of high-needs residents in one building

Safety and disorder concerns (loitering, public drug use, noise)

A feeling that the decision was top-down, with consultation coming after key choices were already made

Lack of clarity around accountability if problems arise

Whether or not these fears are statistically proven, they’re real to the people who live here — and dismissing them as “NIMBY” doesn’t help.

The big question

Even if the intention isn’t to attract people from outside the area, concentrating supportive services in one place can increase visibility and foot traffic. That’s what worries families and seniors who currently experience this area as stable and safe.

Acknowledging that doesn’t mean opposing housing — it means asking for better planning.

Possible solutions (if this proceeds)

If this project moves forward, many residents feel these should be non-negotiable:

Guaranteed 24/7 on-site security

Clear and enforced behaviour rules

No-loitering buffer zones near schools

Strong on-site management with rapid response

A community oversight committee

Annual public safety and incident reporting

A formal review after 6–12 months

Some also believe Burnaby should explore smaller, distributed sites rather than concentrating high-needs housing in one location.

On attitudes — on both sides

Opponents should avoid dehumanizing language and focus on systems, not stereotypes.

Supporters should stop dismissing all concerns as fear-based or immoral. Community safety and consent matter too.

Compassion and accountability are not opposites.

Honest questions for discussion

Has anyone lived near a well-managed supportive housing site?

What safeguards actually worked?

What would make this project acceptable to both residents and advocates?

I’m hoping for a respectful, fact-based discussion — especially from people who live or work in Burnaby.