City supports low-barrier jobs via $2 million in street cleaning grants

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City Hall

The Street Cleaning Grant Program is an excellent example of social sustainability in action and is part of the City’s broader commitment to keep Vancouver clean, safe, and litter-free.

Mayor Kennedy Stewart

February 8 2022 –

Vancouver City Council has approved $2.18 million in funding for the annual Street Cleaning Grant Program. For over 22 years, this program has played a major role in keeping Vancouver clean by supplementing work done by City crews, and providing meaningful, low-barrier job opportunities for people who need them the most.

Micro-cleaning is a core component of the program. Micro-cleaning involves daily collection of improperly discarded materials, including needles and litter, using brooms, shovels, and wheeled garbage carts. This work differs from street cleaning done by City crews, which is focused on emptying receptacles and litter collection using sweepers, flushers, or other vehicles.

A recap of the positive impact the program had last year

  • Micro-cleaning an area covering 7 km2 and within 22 BIA areas
  • Micro-cleaning at 28 temporary and permanent plazas 
  • 65,400 work hours to individuals with barriers to traditional employment
  • 29,800 bags of litter and 113,500 needles collected 
  • Piloted a dedicated service to address feces in the downtown area

2022 grant recipients

In total, the 2022 Street Cleaning Grant program will provide $2.18 million in grants to the following organizations:

  • Save Our Living Environment – United We Can ($469,100)
  • Coast Mental Health Foundation – Employment Services Program ($663,000)
  • Mission Possible Compassionate Ministries Society – MP Maintenance ($876,000)
  • Family Services of Greater Vancouver – Street Youth Job Action ($73,100)
  • The Kettle Friendship Society – SEED Employment Program ($48,800)
  • Makeway Charitable Society – The Binners’ Project ($55,000)

We encourage all residents to do their part to reduce waste, dispose of their garbage properly, and consider participating in our community-based litter cleanup programs: Adopt a Block and Neighbourhood Cleanup Party. 

View the Council report (123 KB)

Quotes

Mayor Kennedy Stewart

“The Street Cleaning Grant Program is an excellent example of social sustainability in action and is part of the City’s broader commitment to keep Vancouver clean, safe and litter-free,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “Participants benefit from a greater sense of pride and self-esteem developed through employment that makes a positive contribution to their own community.”

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