Jill Atkey
@jfatkey.bsky.social
Housing advocate by day and night. CEO at BCNPHA, Director at Rental Protection Fund, Community Housing Transformation Centre, Boann Social Impact, Community Housing Coverage, and Chartered Institute of Housing Canada.
Our non-profit organization spent many thousands of dollars complying with Elections BC laws to run a non-partisan campaign.
A local bazillionaire was fined $600 for ignoring the law.
Cool. 😎
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
A local bazillionaire was fined $600 for ignoring the law.
Cool. 😎
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Billionaire Chip Wilson fined $600 for unauthorized election sign targeting B.C. NDP | CBC News
Elections B.C. says three signs Lululemon founder Chip Wilson put up in front of his Vancouver home during the 2024 provincial election period, including one that called the B.C. NDP "communist," cons...
www.cbc.ca
October 8, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Our non-profit organization spent many thousands of dollars complying with Elections BC laws to run a non-partisan campaign.
A local bazillionaire was fined $600 for ignoring the law.
Cool. 😎
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
A local bazillionaire was fined $600 for ignoring the law.
Cool. 😎
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Spot on. 👇
“I would also say, however, that focusing on immigrants is an easy way, to be totally frank, to turn the attention away from deep structural problems such as a lack of affordable housing," Irene Bloemraad said.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/exp...
“I would also say, however, that focusing on immigrants is an easy way, to be totally frank, to turn the attention away from deep structural problems such as a lack of affordable housing," Irene Bloemraad said.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/exp...
Expert 'taken aback' by Eby foreign worker claims, says axing program won't fix woes
VICTORIA - Ending the temporary foreign worker program won't solve "deep structural problems" with housing and other issues in British Columbia, while it would create "problematic consequences" for la...
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
September 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Spot on. 👇
“I would also say, however, that focusing on immigrants is an easy way, to be totally frank, to turn the attention away from deep structural problems such as a lack of affordable housing," Irene Bloemraad said.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/exp...
“I would also say, however, that focusing on immigrants is an easy way, to be totally frank, to turn the attention away from deep structural problems such as a lack of affordable housing," Irene Bloemraad said.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/exp...
Hang on. I can build a detached house anywhere even if it doesn’t suit the character of the neighbourhood?! 😉
At the City of Vancouver we committed to a path to simplify our regulatory environment, streamline our policy, increasing certainty in our process, and getting to faster approvals to enable housing…
storeys.com/vancouver-st...
storeys.com/vancouver-st...
Vancouver To Transform Development Process With Standardized Residential Zones
The changes proposed by the City of Vancouver would set default heights and densities for different residential zoning districts and streamline the development process.
storeys.com
July 18, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Hang on. I can build a detached house anywhere even if it doesn’t suit the character of the neighbourhood?! 😉
With respect, something is very broken if this statement carries any logic.
Somehow there is municipal revenue to be gained by paying $40K per stall to construct unused parking?
Also, municipal and provincial taxpayers are the same people.
And don’t get me started on the cost of homelessness.
Somehow there is municipal revenue to be gained by paying $40K per stall to construct unused parking?
Also, municipal and provincial taxpayers are the same people.
And don’t get me started on the cost of homelessness.
July 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
With respect, something is very broken if this statement carries any logic.
Somehow there is municipal revenue to be gained by paying $40K per stall to construct unused parking?
Also, municipal and provincial taxpayers are the same people.
And don’t get me started on the cost of homelessness.
Somehow there is municipal revenue to be gained by paying $40K per stall to construct unused parking?
Also, municipal and provincial taxpayers are the same people.
And don’t get me started on the cost of homelessness.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand why people hate housing so much.
June 13, 2025 at 4:25 AM
I don’t think I’ll ever understand why people hate housing so much.
Reversing course on the Arbutus supportive housing development isn't a surprise given Council's actions in recent months.
Here were the Mayor's words in January. If this actually the plan, it would seem appropriate for the City to double down on supportive housing city-wide. So what is the plan?
Here were the Mayor's words in January. If this actually the plan, it would seem appropriate for the City to double down on supportive housing city-wide. So what is the plan?
May 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reversing course on the Arbutus supportive housing development isn't a surprise given Council's actions in recent months.
Here were the Mayor's words in January. If this actually the plan, it would seem appropriate for the City to double down on supportive housing city-wide. So what is the plan?
Here were the Mayor's words in January. If this actually the plan, it would seem appropriate for the City to double down on supportive housing city-wide. So what is the plan?
Well that was a night 🫣
With the election now behind us, we now have some clarity and as always, new questions about how Federal housing policy will shape up in the years ahead. Some thoughts on what a new Liberal government will mean for housing: 👇
With the election now behind us, we now have some clarity and as always, new questions about how Federal housing policy will shape up in the years ahead. Some thoughts on what a new Liberal government will mean for housing: 👇
April 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Well that was a night 🫣
With the election now behind us, we now have some clarity and as always, new questions about how Federal housing policy will shape up in the years ahead. Some thoughts on what a new Liberal government will mean for housing: 👇
With the election now behind us, we now have some clarity and as always, new questions about how Federal housing policy will shape up in the years ahead. Some thoughts on what a new Liberal government will mean for housing: 👇
Great news from Penticton! City council unanimously approved 10-year property tax exemptions on non-profit housing. Actions like these help reduce rents in new and existing affordable housing developments. 👍
pub-penticton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
pub-penticton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
pub-penticton.escribemeetings.com
April 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Great news from Penticton! City council unanimously approved 10-year property tax exemptions on non-profit housing. Actions like these help reduce rents in new and existing affordable housing developments. 👍
pub-penticton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
pub-penticton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a...
Another building and 25 affordable homes move into the non-profit housing sector, where affordability can be protected in perpetuity. Congratulations Connective Support Society, @rentalprofund.bsky.social and the Province of BC 😃
cfjctoday.com/2025/04/23/c...
cfjctoday.com/2025/04/23/c...
Connective Support Society with assistance from province and Rental Protection Fund help preserve 25 units of affordable housing
KAMLOOPS - Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon was in Kamloops on Wednesday to announce the safeguarding of affordabl...
cfjctoday.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Another building and 25 affordable homes move into the non-profit housing sector, where affordability can be protected in perpetuity. Congratulations Connective Support Society, @rentalprofund.bsky.social and the Province of BC 😃
cfjctoday.com/2025/04/23/c...
cfjctoday.com/2025/04/23/c...
“After all, isn’t it precisely when the world feels out of control that our need for the safety and security of home is felt most acutely?”
Opinion: It's time for Ottawa to address the national housing crisis vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e... via @vancouversun.bsky.social from the unstoppable @thomarmstrong.bsky.social @jfatkey.bsky.social Margaret Phoh
Opinion: It's time for Ottawa to address the national housing crisis
In B.C. alone, Ottawa must invest $2.34 billion per year over the next decade — and there is more that the next federal government must do
vancouversun.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:26 AM
“After all, isn’t it precisely when the world feels out of control that our need for the safety and security of home is felt most acutely?”
Yes.
#DeltaBC - Surrey to provide land for housing, should Delta follow? www.delta-optimist.com/local-news/s...
Surrey to provide land for housing, should Delta follow?
Delta is going to undertake an inventory of potential city-owned lands that could be used for potential future housing project
www.delta-optimist.com
April 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Yes.
Semi-regular reminder from someone who sat through another five hour public hearing on affordable housing last night:
No matter where you live or what type of housing you live in, people opposed your home before it was built.
No matter where you live or what type of housing you live in, people opposed your home before it was built.
March 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Semi-regular reminder from someone who sat through another five hour public hearing on affordable housing last night:
No matter where you live or what type of housing you live in, people opposed your home before it was built.
No matter where you live or what type of housing you live in, people opposed your home before it was built.
There is a lot going on in the news cycle. For those still interested in housing, here are a few thoughts on #Budget2025
1. Phew! Given the economic uncertainty, we're happy that government is maintaining investment in non-profit and co-op housing, with 4,500 completions expected this year.
👇
1. Phew! Given the economic uncertainty, we're happy that government is maintaining investment in non-profit and co-op housing, with 4,500 completions expected this year.
👇
March 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
There is a lot going on in the news cycle. For those still interested in housing, here are a few thoughts on #Budget2025
1. Phew! Given the economic uncertainty, we're happy that government is maintaining investment in non-profit and co-op housing, with 4,500 completions expected this year.
👇
1. Phew! Given the economic uncertainty, we're happy that government is maintaining investment in non-profit and co-op housing, with 4,500 completions expected this year.
👇
Reposted by Jill Atkey
Judy Graves spent 33 years working with the City of Vancouver - most of it as the city's advocate for homeless people.
She once told me, "Everybody has a body, and they need someplace to put it."
I've never forgotten that.
She once told me, "Everybody has a body, and they need someplace to put it."
I've never forgotten that.
February 27, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Judy Graves spent 33 years working with the City of Vancouver - most of it as the city's advocate for homeless people.
She once told me, "Everybody has a body, and they need someplace to put it."
I've never forgotten that.
She once told me, "Everybody has a body, and they need someplace to put it."
I've never forgotten that.
When we ask our leaders for leadership on housing, I guess we'll need to start being more specific about what we actually mean.
This is a worrying trend. 👇
www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/...
This is a worrying trend. 👇
www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/...
Elected official wants temporary cap on supportive housing in Vernon - Vernon News
Vernon city councillor Kari Gares wants to put a temporary cap on supportive housing.
www.castanet.net
February 27, 2025 at 10:02 PM
When we ask our leaders for leadership on housing, I guess we'll need to start being more specific about what we actually mean.
This is a worrying trend. 👇
www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/...
This is a worrying trend. 👇
www.castanet.net/news/Vernon/...
A supportive housing provider summed up this ABC majority decision rather succinctly on a call this morning:
"This condemns services to an outreach model: granola bars for everyone, referrals to nowhere."
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
"This condemns services to an outreach model: granola bars for everyone, referrals to nowhere."
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Vancouver council votes to freeze construction of new supportive housing
A majority of Vancouver councillors have voted in favour of Mayor Ken Sim's motion to freeze the construction of net-new supportive housing. As Janella Hamilton reports, the policy was passed despite ...
www.cbc.ca
February 27, 2025 at 9:18 PM
A supportive housing provider summed up this ABC majority decision rather succinctly on a call this morning:
"This condemns services to an outreach model: granola bars for everyone, referrals to nowhere."
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
"This condemns services to an outreach model: granola bars for everyone, referrals to nowhere."
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
Imagine if the (Canadian) honorary captain of our men's national hockey team had the same courage as the (American) head coach of our men's national soccer team.
Here is the controversial part: this confirms that soccer will always be the superior sport.
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/socce...
Here is the controversial part: this confirms that soccer will always be the superior sport.
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/socce...
Canada coach tells Trump to lay off ‘ridiculous rhetoric’ of Canada as a 51st state
‘As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies,’ Marsch said
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Imagine if the (Canadian) honorary captain of our men's national hockey team had the same courage as the (American) head coach of our men's national soccer team.
Here is the controversial part: this confirms that soccer will always be the superior sport.
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/socce...
Here is the controversial part: this confirms that soccer will always be the superior sport.
www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/socce...
Not now,Dave, and that’s also not a job.
February 27, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Not now,Dave, and that’s also not a job.
It shouldn't be necessary, but the most impactful speakers against Mayor Sim's no net new supportive housing motion are those with lived experience.
Here is someone who was formerly homeless showing Council how people stay warm when homeless in winter. He's holding up a burnt piece of wood.
Here is someone who was formerly homeless showing Council how people stay warm when homeless in winter. He's holding up a burnt piece of wood.
February 27, 2025 at 12:17 AM
It shouldn't be necessary, but the most impactful speakers against Mayor Sim's no net new supportive housing motion are those with lived experience.
Here is someone who was formerly homeless showing Council how people stay warm when homeless in winter. He's holding up a burnt piece of wood.
Here is someone who was formerly homeless showing Council how people stay warm when homeless in winter. He's holding up a burnt piece of wood.
Reposted by Jill Atkey
Want to reduce crime and end homelessness?
Start supporting supportive housing!
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Start supporting supportive housing!
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Opinion: Supportive housing makes communities safer
When people who need extra support — from single moms to people in recovery — have stable housing, our communities are stronger for it
vancouversun.com
February 21, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Want to reduce crime and end homelessness?
Start supporting supportive housing!
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Start supporting supportive housing!
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Supportive housing is evidence-based and non-partisan.
Not long ago, people experiencing homelessness had to "graduate" into housing - they couldn't get housing if they used substances or had a mental illness.
How can you recover from anything without a home?
Read on 👇
Not long ago, people experiencing homelessness had to "graduate" into housing - they couldn't get housing if they used substances or had a mental illness.
How can you recover from anything without a home?
Read on 👇
Harper Government Invests in Evidence-Based Housing First Homelessness initiatives in the Vancouver area - Canada.ca
The Harper Government is investing more than $41 million in funding through Metro Vancouver as it implements Housing First, a proven, evidence-based approach to end homelessness. The announcement was ...
www.canada.ca
February 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Supportive housing is evidence-based and non-partisan.
Not long ago, people experiencing homelessness had to "graduate" into housing - they couldn't get housing if they used substances or had a mental illness.
How can you recover from anything without a home?
Read on 👇
Not long ago, people experiencing homelessness had to "graduate" into housing - they couldn't get housing if they used substances or had a mental illness.
How can you recover from anything without a home?
Read on 👇
Here is today's bright spot: Congratulations to New West, for doubling-down on your commitments to supportive housing and wrap around services.
To the municipality with the second most supportive housing units per capita in the region - thank you for your leadership!
To the municipality with the second most supportive housing units per capita in the region - thank you for your leadership!
Proud to work with a Council and skilled staff who are willing to take action while others say we should just sweep problems under the rug or hope they disappear. This is why we do this work - to support our community #NewWest www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/02/acti...
Action
The community has been asking us to act, and we are acting. We are not pointing fingers, we are not punching down, we are not kicking this down the road. We are showing leadership. We are working w…
www.patrickjohnstone.ca
February 12, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Here is today's bright spot: Congratulations to New West, for doubling-down on your commitments to supportive housing and wrap around services.
To the municipality with the second most supportive housing units per capita in the region - thank you for your leadership!
To the municipality with the second most supportive housing units per capita in the region - thank you for your leadership!
ICYMI: Councillor Dominato's take on Mayor Sim's supportive housing announcement:
I fundamentally don't agree. It's critically important housing for those who require supports - medical, counselling, meals. It could be for people with disabilities, seniors, youth.
globalnews.ca/bc/program/t...
I fundamentally don't agree. It's critically important housing for those who require supports - medical, counselling, meals. It could be for people with disabilities, seniors, youth.
globalnews.ca/bc/program/t...
The Mike Smyth Show | Global News
The Mike Smyth Show | Global News
globalnews.ca
February 3, 2025 at 8:35 PM
ICYMI: Councillor Dominato's take on Mayor Sim's supportive housing announcement:
I fundamentally don't agree. It's critically important housing for those who require supports - medical, counselling, meals. It could be for people with disabilities, seniors, youth.
globalnews.ca/bc/program/t...
I fundamentally don't agree. It's critically important housing for those who require supports - medical, counselling, meals. It could be for people with disabilities, seniors, youth.
globalnews.ca/bc/program/t...
I have some thoughts 👇
Supportive housing exists because our systems sometimes fail people.
It’s the solution, not the problem.
And we need more of it. A lot more.
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Supportive housing exists because our systems sometimes fail people.
It’s the solution, not the problem.
And we need more of it. A lot more.
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Jill Atkey: Mayor Sim's call for a pause on new supportive housing leaves Vancouverites with more questions than answers
Ken Sim's call for a pause on new supportive housing creates questions and panic — an announcement without a plan puts lives at risk
vancouversun.com
January 30, 2025 at 1:22 AM
I have some thoughts 👇
Supportive housing exists because our systems sometimes fail people.
It’s the solution, not the problem.
And we need more of it. A lot more.
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
Supportive housing exists because our systems sometimes fail people.
It’s the solution, not the problem.
And we need more of it. A lot more.
vancouversun.com/opinion/op-e...
No jurisdiction that has reduced homelessness has ever done the following:
- frame the solution as the problem
- reduce housing and supports
- turn low-income housing into high-income housing
- use human lives as a negotiating tool
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
- frame the solution as the problem
- reduce housing and supports
- turn low-income housing into high-income housing
- use human lives as a negotiating tool
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver mayor rejects new supportive housing projects, promises ‘crackdown’ on gangs
Vancouver’s mayor intends to reject any new social housing projects proposed in his city.
www.ctvnews.ca
January 24, 2025 at 3:53 PM
No jurisdiction that has reduced homelessness has ever done the following:
- frame the solution as the problem
- reduce housing and supports
- turn low-income housing into high-income housing
- use human lives as a negotiating tool
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
- frame the solution as the problem
- reduce housing and supports
- turn low-income housing into high-income housing
- use human lives as a negotiating tool
www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...