By Jen St. Denis, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
It’s been used for a tent city twice, a community garden, a street market and informal overdose prevention site, and for an emergency medical unit during the early days of Vancouver’s overdose crisis. Now construction of badly-needed social housing for the Downtown Eastside, promised in 2016, is set to start at 58 W. Hastings St.
Continue reading From tent city to affordable housing – 58 W Hastings Street in VancouverBy Jen St. Denis, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Vancouver’s council made history this week by asking the federal government for an exemption from Canadian drug laws to decriminalize possession of drugs for personal use.
Council voted on the motion the same day the BC Coroners Service reported 1,386 people have died so far this year of an overdose, with deaths increasing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue reading Vancouver asks for an exemption from Canadian drug lawsBy Jen St. Denis, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Three months ago, the part of Vancouver that includes the Downtown Eastside had the lowest number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Continue reading Downtown Eastside: Vancouver’s Poorest have the highest COVID rates“The Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter and rebroadcast over the Oct 30, 2020 edition of Cortes Currents.
Vancouver’s City Council has been passing a number of motions to alleviate the city’s homelessness crisis since May. But for those on the street or in tent cities, those motions haven’t translated into changes in their living conditions.
Continue reading Vancouver seeks to alleviate homelessnessBy Jen St. Denis, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
One evening this August, Peter Portuondo was stabbed in the arm when he attempted to block a man who was not welcome at the Strathcona Park tent city in Vancouver’s east side.
Continue reading Strathcona Park tent city: Problem or community?
