Russil Wvong
@russilwvong.bsky.social
Canadian. Interested in housing, public safety, climate, international politics. Federal Liberal riding chair for Vancouver Kingsway. We need more housing. Daily blog: morehousing.ca.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Brian Montague, who bluntly has appeared to enjoy being a councillor less than any councillor I’ve ever covered, has announced he won’t be running for re-election
Vancouver councillor defends attendance record after selling local home, buying property in Okanagan
Vancouver councillor defends attendance record after selling local home, buying property in Okanagan
A Vancouver city councillor is defending his attendance record after selling his local home and buying a property in the Okanagan.
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Brian Montague, who bluntly has appeared to enjoy being a councillor less than any councillor I’ve ever covered, has announced he won’t be running for re-election
Reposted by Russil Wvong
This is a failure of the Ministry/SB system, which doesn’t even react well, let alone plan. I was saying before the 2010 Olympics to build the school early or it would be objected to. And they should have ALWAYS planned it for 4 storeys.
In any case, build it now. The “character” there is density.
In any case, build it now. The “character” there is density.
omg some Olympic Village residents are trying to NIMBY the elementary school. They're citing "neighbourhood character" for why four floors is just too much damned school for their neighbourhood
September 10, 2025 at 3:57 AM
This is a failure of the Ministry/SB system, which doesn’t even react well, let alone plan. I was saying before the 2010 Olympics to build the school early or it would be objected to. And they should have ALWAYS planned it for 4 storeys.
In any case, build it now. The “character” there is density.
In any case, build it now. The “character” there is density.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
omg some Olympic Village residents are trying to NIMBY the elementary school. They're citing "neighbourhood character" for why four floors is just too much damned school for their neighbourhood
September 10, 2025 at 1:58 AM
omg some Olympic Village residents are trying to NIMBY the elementary school. They're citing "neighbourhood character" for why four floors is just too much damned school for their neighbourhood
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Bonsai City
Vancouver is like a bonsai tree: lovely, but much too small
morehousing.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Russil Wvong
@vancouversun.bsky.social
Following up about lane buildings and hydro Powerline setbacks.
As I say here, if this has happened with 9 different design / build teams then it’s a systemic problem not a one-off error. 🧵
vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...
Following up about lane buildings and hydro Powerline setbacks.
As I say here, if this has happened with 9 different design / build teams then it’s a systemic problem not a one-off error. 🧵
vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...
Stop-work orders point to 'systemic problem,' Vancouver homebuilder says
Vancouver homebuilders are scrambling to figure out how to proceed with residential projects, after city halts construction on nine sites.
vancouversun.com
August 20, 2025 at 3:58 PM
@vancouversun.bsky.social
Following up about lane buildings and hydro Powerline setbacks.
As I say here, if this has happened with 9 different design / build teams then it’s a systemic problem not a one-off error. 🧵
vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...
Following up about lane buildings and hydro Powerline setbacks.
As I say here, if this has happened with 9 different design / build teams then it’s a systemic problem not a one-off error. 🧵
vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Russil Wvong
There were a lot of emails flying around last week as the city worked to clarify the rules. In theory the powerline clearances are up to the builder to coordinate with hydro, but hydro's diagrams were confusing, and the design setbacks weren't being flagged by the city at permit review.
Exclusive: 'Serious safety risk': Work halted on several Vancouver multiplex projects built too close to power lines
vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...
vancouversun.com/opinion/colu...
Exclusive: 'Serious safety risk': Work halted on several Vancouver multiplex projects built too close to power lines
Vancouver halted work on at least nine projects after it was determined they were being built too close to high-voltage power lines
vancouversun.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
There were a lot of emails flying around last week as the city worked to clarify the rules. In theory the powerline clearances are up to the builder to coordinate with hydro, but hydro's diagrams were confusing, and the design setbacks weren't being flagged by the city at permit review.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
This is a good summary of Vancouver's broken planning system (by planning staff!). 871 site-specific zoning districts (27 new ones every year), 3-4 years to get a property rezoned and get a building permit council.vancouver.ca/20250722/doc...
July 17, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This is a good summary of Vancouver's broken planning system (by planning staff!). 871 site-specific zoning districts (27 new ones every year), 3-4 years to get a property rezoned and get a building permit council.vancouver.ca/20250722/doc...
Reposted by Russil Wvong
This thread is incredible.
Jason ✨👾SaaStr.Ai✨ Lemkin (@jasonlk)
.@Replit goes rogue during a code freeze and shutdown and deletes our entire database
xcancel.com
July 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
This thread is incredible.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Yep. While people are worried about neighbourhood level gentrification they get city level gentrification.
But also, households are the wrong units of measurement for affordability, part of this effect is people doubling up more. Household incomes have increased faster than individual incomes.
But also, households are the wrong units of measurement for affordability, part of this effect is people doubling up more. Household incomes have increased faster than individual incomes.
ONE WEIRD TRICK San Francisco used to make it so that more residents can afford to own a home in 2025 versus 2005:
www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...
July 20, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Yep. While people are worried about neighbourhood level gentrification they get city level gentrification.
But also, households are the wrong units of measurement for affordability, part of this effect is people doubling up more. Household incomes have increased faster than individual incomes.
But also, households are the wrong units of measurement for affordability, part of this effect is people doubling up more. Household incomes have increased faster than individual incomes.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Emergency Exit Plan - 24-story tall HoHo Wien, one of the world's tallest mass timber structures
Interlocking stairs maintain a compact footprint
Interlocking stairs maintain a compact footprint
July 20, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Emergency Exit Plan - 24-story tall HoHo Wien, one of the world's tallest mass timber structures
Interlocking stairs maintain a compact footprint
Interlocking stairs maintain a compact footprint
Reposted by Russil Wvong
I think this rather misses the point. Canadians are not boycotting the United States because they expect to crash its economy, though some might relish the idea, but because they don’t want to support or frankly have anything to do with the US under Trump
macdonaldlaurier.ca/how-much-did...
macdonaldlaurier.ca/how-much-did...
How much did Canada’s trade retaliation and boycotts actually hurt the U.S.? Trevor Tombe in The Hub | Macdonald-Laurier Institute
In short, government measures—like removing U.S. wine from store shelves or imposing tariffs—had clear, measurable impacts. The same cannot be said of consumer boycotts. While individual choices may h...
macdonaldlaurier.ca
July 20, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I think this rather misses the point. Canadians are not boycotting the United States because they expect to crash its economy, though some might relish the idea, but because they don’t want to support or frankly have anything to do with the US under Trump
macdonaldlaurier.ca/how-much-did...
macdonaldlaurier.ca/how-much-did...
Reposted by Russil Wvong
About 1 in 4 U.S. adults worry they or someone close to them could be deported.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/06/27/about-1-in-4-us-adults-worry-they-or-someone-close-to-them-could-be-deported/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/06/27/about-1-in-4-us-adults-worry-they-or-someone-close-to-them-could-be-deported/
About 1 in 4 U.S. adults worry they or someone close to them could be deported
About four-in-ten immigrants (43%) say they worry a lot or some, up from 33% in March.
www.pewresearch.org
July 20, 2025 at 2:15 PM
About 1 in 4 U.S. adults worry they or someone close to them could be deported.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/06/27/about-1-in-4-us-adults-worry-they-or-someone-close-to-them-could-be-deported/
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/06/27/about-1-in-4-us-adults-worry-they-or-someone-close-to-them-could-be-deported/
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Guys, Calgary has started more housing starts in 2025 than Toronto. Not more housing starts per capita. More housing starts full stop. Calgary: 14,712 (11,164 multi-family). Toronto: 12,575 (11,110 multi-family). The next few years could be bleak. globalnews.ca/news/1129082...
Tale of two cities: Why Edmonton builds homes faster than Toronto - National | Globalnews.ca
Toronto is lagging cities such as Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver, where housing starts are on the rise. They're falling in Toronto, and experts say city policy is a culprit.
globalnews.ca
July 20, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Guys, Calgary has started more housing starts in 2025 than Toronto. Not more housing starts per capita. More housing starts full stop. Calgary: 14,712 (11,164 multi-family). Toronto: 12,575 (11,110 multi-family). The next few years could be bleak. globalnews.ca/news/1129082...
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Good meeting with @cityofvancouver.bsky.social staff re: single stair. We talked building codes, design, zoning and economics.
Glad to see they're supportive of a (relatively) simplified set of rules for open stairs, and potentially providing 3 different stair options.
Glad to see they're supportive of a (relatively) simplified set of rules for open stairs, and potentially providing 3 different stair options.
July 16, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Good meeting with @cityofvancouver.bsky.social staff re: single stair. We talked building codes, design, zoning and economics.
Glad to see they're supportive of a (relatively) simplified set of rules for open stairs, and potentially providing 3 different stair options.
Glad to see they're supportive of a (relatively) simplified set of rules for open stairs, and potentially providing 3 different stair options.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
If you have opinions about the time savings of Prefab, or “pre approved designs” then you need to also understand how the various approval processes for new buildings also impact the timeline.
Ok let’s talk zoning approval processes.
A thread…
They’re slightly different in every city but here’s my understanding of the hierarchy as (from easy/fastest to slowest).
1/x
A thread…
They’re slightly different in every city but here’s my understanding of the hierarchy as (from easy/fastest to slowest).
1/x
July 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
If you have opinions about the time savings of Prefab, or “pre approved designs” then you need to also understand how the various approval processes for new buildings also impact the timeline.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
If prioritized homes for people like we prioritize homes for cars we would be much further along in dealing with this housing crisis.
Want another example of staggering lack of leadership & understanding around how to actually address our complex urban challenges? Imagine ignoring experts and rejecting this badly needed 6-storey housing project for people with disabilities, over parking spots. tricitiesdispatch.com/residents-di...
Housing for residents with disabilities put on hold due to lack of parking – Tri-Cities Dispatch
An affordable rental project for residents living with mental illness failed to cross the finish line in Port Coquitlam council chambers recently, with
tricitiesdispatch.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:29 PM
If prioritized homes for people like we prioritize homes for cars we would be much further along in dealing with this housing crisis.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
New post where @lausterna.bsky.social and I (again) tie our housing problems to a shortage of housing, with doubling up being the link. And we call for tracking doubling up directly as a measure of housing hardship to avoid some of the pitfalls with our standard affordability metrics.
Housing is a housing problem – Mountain Doodles
The main housing problem in Canada is that there is not enough of it. A call for elevating household formation and doubling up to a primary metric to monitor housing.
doodles.mountainmath.ca
July 7, 2025 at 3:15 AM
New post where @lausterna.bsky.social and I (again) tie our housing problems to a shortage of housing, with doubling up being the link. And we call for tracking doubling up directly as a measure of housing hardship to avoid some of the pitfalls with our standard affordability metrics.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Hey #NewWest !! It's Monday and that means it's council night tonight! 🥳
The last regular council meeting until late August following a summer break.
There is lots on the agenda so I'm sure discussion and debate will go late into the night 🌃
Photo unrelated, it's just nice 🍀
The last regular council meeting until late August following a summer break.
There is lots on the agenda so I'm sure discussion and debate will go late into the night 🌃
Photo unrelated, it's just nice 🍀
July 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Hey #NewWest !! It's Monday and that means it's council night tonight! 🥳
The last regular council meeting until late August following a summer break.
There is lots on the agenda so I'm sure discussion and debate will go late into the night 🌃
Photo unrelated, it's just nice 🍀
The last regular council meeting until late August following a summer break.
There is lots on the agenda so I'm sure discussion and debate will go late into the night 🌃
Photo unrelated, it's just nice 🍀
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Granville Island joins a host of innovative models from the 1970s (e.g. non-equity cooperatives! historical preservation as a source of cheap housing!) that often involved the same sets of thinkers.
And they did not fully build in the cost of upkeep.*
(* a lot of that's about rising standards!)
And they did not fully build in the cost of upkeep.*
(* a lot of that's about rising standards!)
After decades of staying pretty much the same, Granville Island's infrastructure is decaying, with no internal funding mechanism to pay for all the upgrades.
Here's my story on how we got here, and why all options — including housing — seem to be on the table.
Here's my story on how we got here, and why all options — including housing — seem to be on the table.
Aging Granville Island needs up to $300M in upgrades. Is housing a solution? | CBC News
There's nothing in Metro Vancouver like Granville Island — but that's part of the problem in making changes to keep it financially viable.
www.cbc.ca
June 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Granville Island joins a host of innovative models from the 1970s (e.g. non-equity cooperatives! historical preservation as a source of cheap housing!) that often involved the same sets of thinkers.
And they did not fully build in the cost of upkeep.*
(* a lot of that's about rising standards!)
And they did not fully build in the cost of upkeep.*
(* a lot of that's about rising standards!)
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Watching Toronto planning and housing committee debate expanded multiplex permissions, an interesting exchange between @blairscorgie.bsky.social and Cllr Holyday (transcription and any errors are mine)
June 12, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Watching Toronto planning and housing committee debate expanded multiplex permissions, an interesting exchange between @blairscorgie.bsky.social and Cllr Holyday (transcription and any errors are mine)
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Finally pulled the trigger and updated my Vancouver tree map with newer data, now it contains not just street trees but also other public trees in e.g. parks. (Thanks Vancouver Open Data!) Handy when wanting to look up a tree while walking around town. mountainmath.ca/vantrees
June 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Finally pulled the trigger and updated my Vancouver tree map with newer data, now it contains not just street trees but also other public trees in e.g. parks. (Thanks Vancouver Open Data!) Handy when wanting to look up a tree while walking around town. mountainmath.ca/vantrees
Reposted by Russil Wvong
A short video from yesterday on Vancouver council approving the Broadway-Commercial megatowers, ABC's justification, and the housing split between their different opponents.
Because anytime you have a chance to start a story with an accordion, you gotta do it.
Because anytime you have a chance to start a story with an accordion, you gotta do it.
June 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
A short video from yesterday on Vancouver council approving the Broadway-Commercial megatowers, ABC's justification, and the housing split between their different opponents.
Because anytime you have a chance to start a story with an accordion, you gotta do it.
Because anytime you have a chance to start a story with an accordion, you gotta do it.
Reposted by Russil Wvong
This project will provide very valuable rental housing supply on top of one of the region's busiest transit hubs. There was a lot of discussion at the public hearing on whether new rental (sometimes suggested that this is 'luxury') can help our housing situation. A few things...
After 10 years of design, planning, revisions, consultation & review, the Safeway mixed-use rental housing project at #SkyTrain's Commercial-Broadway Station is going ahead.
Vancouver City Council has approved the rezoning application. #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/sa...
Vancouver City Council has approved the rezoning application. #vanpoli #vanre
dailyhive.com/vancouver/sa...
Safeway redevelopment at Commercial-Broadway Station approved by Vancouver City Council | Urbanized
After 10 years of planning, Vancouver City Council has approved the Safeway redevelopment at SkyTrain's Commercial-Broadway Station.
dailyhive.com
June 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
This project will provide very valuable rental housing supply on top of one of the region's busiest transit hubs. There was a lot of discussion at the public hearing on whether new rental (sometimes suggested that this is 'luxury') can help our housing situation. A few things...
Reposted by Russil Wvong
Vancouver city council is voting on a redevelopment of a Safeway next to the Broadway-Commercial Skytrain station for three purpose-built rental towers, ranging in height from 36 to 43 storeys (only 10% of which would be below market rates).
Controversial Commercial Drive tower development discussed at public hearing | CBC News
More than 120 people registered to speak at a hearing about the redevelopment of the Safeway on East Broadway near Commercial Drive in Vancouver.
www.cbc.ca
June 11, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Vancouver city council is voting on a redevelopment of a Safeway next to the Broadway-Commercial Skytrain station for three purpose-built rental towers, ranging in height from 36 to 43 storeys (only 10% of which would be below market rates).