Vancouver SRO costs over $100K/month to house one tenant

It is costing British Columbia taxpayers more than $100,000 per month to house a single tenant in a former single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel in Vancouver. The Luugat Hotel on Granville Street, a former Howard Johnson's converted to SRO housing, was slated for closure by June.

However, one tenant, Ryan Donnelly, remains living in the building. Global News has learned that in July, the cost to house Donnelly alone reached $101,000. The BC government owns the building, and despite the closure plan, it continues to operate for this sole resident.

"It's insane," said Vancouver Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung. She calculated that the monthly cost for this one tenant could house someone at market rent for more than four years. The province could also rent the Lieutenant Governor's Suite at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which includes meals, for approximately $70,000 per month, significantly less than the current SRO cost.

There is currently no timeline for the Luugat Hotel's final closure. Housing Minister Christine Boyle was unavailable for an interview on Tuesday. Donnelly has previously stated he suffers from a seizure disorder, requiring a large room.

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It’s insane