(VANCOUVER, WA.)—Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle gave her annual State of the City address Monday evening from the Vancouver Arts Hub.
The mayor highlighted some of the city’s progress and accomplishments.
Photo Credit: City of Vancouver
Vancouver’s response to climate change was one of the many topics of discussion, as the mayor highlighted the Green Building Program.
“Last year we adopted the Green Building Program that balances ambitious standards with cost and feasibility for builders. Effort concentrates on increasing energy efficiency, protecting people from climate impacts, and protecting our local ecology,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
The mayor went on to speak about the city’s work to provide more affordable housing.
“Thanks to a voter-approved levy which generates the affordable housing fund, we helped advance 184 new affordable units in the Heights and began construction on a 95-unit affordable housing project at the Waterfront gateway,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
Photo Credit: CVTV
Mayor McEnerny-Ogle goes on to highlight some specific results with affordable housing.
“The affordable housing fund also provided more than 14 million dollars to expand housing stability in Vancouver. This included 11 million to build and preserve 330 affordable apartments, $600,000 to create 62 shelter beds for women and survivors of domestic violence, $500,000 to support 32 new Habitat for Humanity homes, and $2.4 million in rental assistance to help 162 households stay housed,” the mayor said.
The mayor reminded listeners of the public declaration the Vancouver City Council issued on Jan. 20th formally denouncing the actions of federal immigration enforcement agencies, whose conduct within and around our community has caused demonstrable harm and destabilization.
“Their conduct in and around our neighborhoods has caused real harm and destabilization and that impact is ongoing.”
Photo Credit: CVTV
“Our work includes ongoing conversations with our community stakeholders, exploring options to expand resources and ensuring that people have access to information that supports their safety and their well-being.”
“We are committed to pursuing every avenue available to us and using the force of our authority to limit ICE’s reach and protect our community,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
The declaration was in response to escalating tensions with ICE in the area, as previously reported here.
The arts were another prominent feature of the mayor’s address.
“A thriving city isn’t defined only by the challenges it takes on, or the problems it solves. It’s defined by what it creates,” the mayor said.
The mayor officially launched Inspire Vancouver, a new cultural access program that is dedicated to increasing public access and removing barriers to arts culture heritage and science throughout Vancouver.
Photo Credit: CVTV
“Studies show that communities with robust cultural opportunities see stronger social ties, higher civic engagement, improved academic outcomes, and positive economic benefits,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
The mayor closes her speech by assuring listeners that the state of Vancouver is strong.
“The state of our city is strong, Vancouver strong. And through our continued commitment to our arts culture and heritage, we are building the resilience, creativity, inclusion and sense of purpose that this moment demands and that the future will require,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
If you would like to comment or add to these reports, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.
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