A report released today by UNITE HERE Local 40 argues that Vancouver City Hall has been fast-tracking hotel development while deeply affordable housing falls behind.
The union's analysis says council approved 1,011 hotel rooms in 2025 compared with 719 social housing and co-op homes, and nearly 2,000 hotel rooms so far in 2026 compared with 1,848 social, non-market and co-op homes. Combined, it says hotel approvals ran about 16 per cent ahead of affordable homes.
The report also questions the case for urgency on hotels, saying World Cup demand has fallen short of expectations used to justify faster approvals and new incentives for hotel developers.
The union's president said residents are being told there is a hotel room crisis while many struggle to afford rent, and called on the city to move with the same urgency on affordable housing.
