Last tenant relocated, Vancouver's Luugat SRO Hotel officially closed

The last remaining tenant of the Luugat SRO Hotel on Granville Street has been relocated, and the building is now officially closed, according to the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. This marks the end of a prolonged closure process, which saw taxpayers continuing to fund the building's operation even after its intended shutdown date.

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All residents of the Luugat have been relocated to alternative housing.

In mid-August, British Columbia taxpayers were still covering costs to keep the Luugat open for a single resident. The provincial government had initially promised to close the hotel by the end of June. The ministry confirmed that the final tenant was relocated last week, with their belongings being moved.

The extended operation came at a significant cost to taxpayers. In July alone, $101,000 was spent to keep the building open. Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim expressed frustration, stating that while the duration might seem small to the provincial government, its daily impact on the community is substantial. He stressed that the government "can do better."

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It may only seem like a couple of months and in the whole scheme of things it may not feel like a big deal to the big provincial government, but the impact in the community every single day is a big deal and… they can do better.

Global News is seeking a detailed breakdown of the total government expenditure on the Luugat since the province purchased the property for $55 million in 2020. This includes operational costs, staffing, repairs, and taxes. Mayor Sim highlighted that many questions need answers, including the reasons for the delay, the total cost incurred, and the future plans for the building's repurposing.

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I do think there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Why did it take so long? How much did it cost? How much is it going to continue to cost as they repurpose the building?

Concerns about the building's condition were also raised by a former tenant, Vance Hughes, who described the SRO as a "cesspool" with significant drug issues after it was converted to social housing. The province has not yet provided a timeline for the closure of other provincially-owned SROs in the entertainment district, such as the St. Helen’s Hotel and Granville Villa.

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Now we’re focused on making sure that the process keeps moving and that the province keeps their word and that the folks who are in the other two provincially-owned SROs in the entertainment district are relocated to homes and facilities that suit their needs.