Thurs. May 23, 2024 edition: Affordable housing for newcomers

Good morning, Burnaby!

In this week’s edition, we’re looking into a motion approved by Burnaby City Council to find a location in the city large enough to accommodate 50 affordable housing units, a community space and a childcare facility together with the Grace Ethiopian Evangelical Church. Also this week, the city has invested in a new pedestrian network after receiving feedback from residents, and some councillors might be turning their backs on the Burnaby Housing Authority.

👀 In today's edition:

• Finding a location for newcomer affordable housing

• A high-quality pedestrian network

• A review of the Burnaby Housing Authority

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NEWS

City agrees to help find location for newcomer affordable housing

On Monday, May 13, Burnaby City Council voted to approve a motion to direct Burnaby city staff to work with the nonprofit affiliated with Grace Ethiopian Evangelical Church to find a location in Burnaby large enough to accommodate 50 affordable housing units, a community space, and a childcare facility. 

The church, established in Burnaby in the 1990s, aims to support newcomers from Ethiopia and Eritrea. According to Pastor Mesfin Mulugeta, the church’s community outreach organization helps newcomers in Burnaby “Overcome barriers of systemic racism, inequality, exclusion from opportunities, affordable housing, education, employment, and healthcare.” 

Read the full story here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

Property taxes are due. The City of Burnaby is reminding property owners that 2024 property taxes are due July 3, 2024. Residents can pay via internet, telephone banking or at most financial institutions—after the deadline, a 5% late penalty will apply.

More reading time. As of May 26, Burnaby Public Library will be open for longer hours on Sunday from 10am to 6pm across all four locations, responding to a high demand for access to library services on weekends.

Music Mania. Starting May 31 until June 1, Metropolis at Metrotown’s grand court will be a stage for a diverse array of musical talent—aka, Music Mania. Performances will come from local schools such as Burnaby North Secondary School’s Marching Band and the CW Music & Performing Arts School. [Burnaby Now]

Red flags for housing authority. With the creation of the Burnaby Housing Authority earlier this year, an arm’s length municipal corporation meant to build much-needed affordable housing in the city, some councillors are suggesting recent housing legislation might be better for affordability. [Business in Vancouver]

Priority registration for residents. With Burnaby’s window for summer recreation and activity registration opening in just under two weeks, local residents will get to sign up three days in advance of the general public. [Burnaby Now]

NEWS

A new sidewalks program in Burnaby

The City of Burnaby is investing in a new pedestrian network after receiving feedback from residents. Sidewalk work is scheduled to start late 2024 in select neighbourhoods.

The project will be funded by capital reserves, meaning no extra tax levy is required. Sidewalk designs will be unique to each neighbourhood and include a myriad of features and special considerations.

As part of this program, the city just announced the installation of new sidewalks on Gilmore Avenue, Carleton Avenue, Dunnedin/Carnegie Streets and Portland Street to begin later this year.

Click here to find out whether your neighbourhood will be affected by the work.

Where to eat & drink

🍤 Cockney Kings Fish & Chips. This is undoubtedly one of the most iconic spots in Burnaby for fried fish—whether that’s in the form of a fried salmon burger, calamari or a classic plate of haddock and chips. Not to mention that on every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week, you can sign up for their all-you-can-eat special.

🍣 Sushi Giwa. You can find a diverse menu of Japanese and Korean-fusion dishes at this casual eatery on Hastings Street. Don katsu, donburi, yaki udon and sashimi are just some of the items they offer, as well as a variety of party trays perfectly suitable for families and large groups.

🍩 Punk Rock Pastries. An award-winning bakery in Burnaby, Punk Rock Pastries specializes in crafting highly personalized, edgy cakes and other confectionary items—think cake in the shape of a grilled sausage, liquor bottles and a full-blown pig’s head.  

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Grocery Associate at Walmart

• Customer Service Assistant at City of Burnaby

• Host at Birdies

• Full-Time Crew Member at McDonalds

• Track Attendant at Burnaby Velodrome Club

• Restaurant Manager at Executive Inn Hotel

• Life Skills Instructor at The Salvation Army

• Sanitation Specialist at Choices Market

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Africa Day Party. 10pm. Lounge Sixty.

• Webinar: How to Project the Future of the Blue Economy. 10am. Online via Zoom.

• Science, Environment & Health Co-op Information Session. 12:30pm. Online via Zoom.  

Friday

• Stream Health & Bug Exploration. 4:30pm. Sperling Avenue parking lot @ Deer Lake Park.

• Latin Dance Icebreaker. 4pm. West Mall Centre.

• Hawaiian Salsa Party. 9pm. World Dance Co.

Saturday

• I Miss You. 4:30pm. Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

• Edmonds Artist Space Launch Party. 12-4pm. Edmonds Park.

• Overflowing Westcoast. 10am. Korean Baptist Church of Vancouver.

• Laurel Street Works Yard Grand Opening. 10:30am. 5780 Laurel St.

Sunday

• Environmental Stewardship Event. 10am. Central Park.

• Masterclass Workshop with Omkar Dadarkar. 4pm. 4505 Hazel St.

Monday

• Burnaby Blooms Micro Event. 11am-4pm. Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area.

• Japanese Study Group. 6pm. Something Sweet Café.

Tuesday

• Games for English Learners. 6pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• Babytime. 11:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Occupational First Aid Level 1. 8:30am. ProSafe Training School.

Wednesday

• Burnaby Toasters Weekly Meeting. 12pm. Burnaby City Hall.

• Babytime. 10:30am. Burnaby Public Library.