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The city, in conjunction with the federal and provincial governments, announced a $66 million plan to build 600 modular units across the city last month.

The Marpole project, at 650 West 57th Avenue, just west of Cambie Street, is the first project from that plan. It will be jointly managed by the city and B.C. Housing.

Critics have said the process has been rushed and questioned whether there was enough transit and infrastructure in the neighbourhood to handle such a facility and also expressed concern about its proximity to a trio of schools: Sir Winston Churchill Secondary, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Elementary and Ideal Mini School are all within a block of the project.

The Marpole development will house people who are “unsheltered or living in shelters, people who are 45 years and older, persons with disabilities and homeless people living in the local neighbourhood.”

He called the company which will operate the facility, Community Builders, “very established.”

“It’s not as if it’s a newbie coming in.”

In a letter to area residents, Kelley thanked the community for the feedback the city had received, be it negative or positive.

“I’ve taken this decision very seriously and taken into consideration everything I’ve heard from the above community members and stakeholders,” he wrote. “I’ve also looked at the City’s overall need to support and house our must vulnerable residents, especially in light of the increasing number of homeless residents on our streets. After taking a holistic assessment, I have decided to issue the Development Permit which includes an Operations Management Plan.”