City of Vancouver supports low-barrier jobs through $2 million in street cleaning grants

Kennedy Stewart Photo by Sukhwant Dhillon / AM 600 Sher-E-Punjab Radio

VANCOUVER City Council has approved $2.18 million in funding for the annual Street Cleaning Grant Program.

For over 22 years, this program hasplayed 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.

“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 Vancouver 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.”

A recap of the positive impact the program had last year:

  • Micro cleaning an area covering 7 km2 and within 22 BIA (Business Improvement Association) 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

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)

The City encourages all residents to do their part to reduce waste, dispose of their garbage properly, and consider participating in the City’s community-based litter cleanup programs: Adopt a Block and Neighbourhood Cleanup Party.

View the Council report.

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