Non-profit group downplays financial review ordered by B.C. government agency

VANCOUVER – A non-profit group that operates housing, a safe-injection site and other services in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is downplaying a financial review that’s been ordered by the province’s housing agency.

BC Housing says it has brought in an accounting firm to conduct a review of the PHS Community Services Society, also known as the Portland Hotel Society.

A statement from CEO Shayne Ramsay says BC Housing discovered irregularities, but he’s not offering any specifics on just what the agency is concerned about.

Mark Townsend, executive director of PHS, says the review is focused on improving how the organization manages its administration fees, though he said he couldn’t discuss the specifics.

Townsend says his group welcomes the chance to work with an accountant to improve how it conducts business and that he’s confident the review won’t uncover anything untoward.

Townsend says the review is examining the organization’s contracts with BC Housing and doesn’t involve its other operations.