2007-06-23 The Province - City of Van buys Drake Hotel for $32 million as Social Housing Fix

The City of Vancouver has bought another building – this one housed a former stripclub – to be converted to SRO housing. The city uses the purchase as a well-timed opportunity to “plug” the other recent acquisitions by the city, showcasing their “commitment” to affordable housing. So, the strip club will go and be replaced by a local pub and the units above will be renovated. I find it sad - yet another building in the worst part of town with the closest resource being a pub instead of a more helpful amenity like a grocery store, pharmacy, café, restaurant or any other retail store that might actually help to revitalize the area. It’s a step forward, but only a small one.

2007-06-23 The Province - City of Van buys Drake Hotel for $32 million as Social Housing Fix

CBC News on the Olympics and Housing

These three articles (dating back to last September) provide cautionary warnings about the negative affects of the Olympics, specifically in areas of social housing, affordability and human rights. The mayor’s “Civil City” project is criticized as an unsuitable and questionable method to clean up the city that punishes those that are forced to live on the streets, instead of providing home. A quote from lawyer David Eby: “Initiatives like bylaws banning sitting or lying down on sidewalks, the increased use of beat police officers, the increased use of surveillance cameras, and the displacement that that is going to cause, I had to tell them (United Nations conference) that we’re really off track to hosting a sustainable Games.”

Others call for more funding housing, including SRO sponsorship, social housing and proper allowances. The $325 welfare shelter allowance hasn’t been increased in 12 years, which hasn’t allowed for natural increases in inflation or accounted for the escalating real-estate market. I think the frequency and continued publication of these articles makes the public aware of the situation, so we ourselves can act like watchdogs and help to hold the city accountable for its promises and react accordingly when they are not fulfilled.

2006-09-21 – CBC News – Homelessness in Vancouver could Triple by 2010: report

2007-02-12 – CBC News – Olympics making Vancouver Housing Crisis worse: critic

2007-06-14 – CBC News – Vancouver Homeless Advocate makes his Case to UN Conference

2007 -06-01 - The Tyee - Homeless to Housed in One Day

A really great article about the difference one person can make. I don’t often feel inspired in this way, but this person has done something truly special. Also a great article for revealing some simple truths about the housing situation in Vancouver, the ordinary challenges people faces, which provides insight into a complex network that is fraught with complications that leaves many dissatisfied, disrespected and ultimately back on the streets.

2007 -06-01 - The Tyee - Homeless to Housed in One Day