Vancouver picks 2 sites for modular mobile homes

The arrival of modular mobile homes in Vancouver is a step closer after the city proposed two sites where the shipping container-sized units could be developed.

The city said Thursday that two initial sites had been identified, at 1500 Main Street and 1060 Howe Street.

At Main St. currently the site of a community food gardenthe city expects 40 to80 micro-suites to be accommodated. Another approximately 40 suites would be sited at Howe St., on the parkade of the former Bosman's Hotel, which has been operating as a below-market housing rental unit since 2009.

• Vancouver's new homeless plan: shipping container-sized portable homes

The units, which are expected to be constructed offsite, then assembled by use of a crane, will be 250 square feet each, with bathrooms and kitchens included. At Howe St., the kitchen facilities will be shared.

The modular nature of the developments allow for them to be removed and reassembled at different sites as necessary. They will be offered to homeless singles or couples as temporary accommodations while they wait for permanent housing.

When the plan was announced in February, Vancouver city councillor Kerry Jang said he anticipated tenants would live in the units for up to two years.

Five companies have been issued RFPs for site specific proposals, with the expectation that the buildings will be ready to take tenants by late fall.

As part of the RFP, the developers must apply for temporary development permits for each site, prompting a formal neighbourhood notification and input process.

The idea is not new to Vancouver. TheAtira Women's Resource Societyopened asix-unit housing complex made from recycled shipping containers in 2013 on Alexander Street.