Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim's plan to revitalize the Downtown Eastside neighborhood has sparked controversy, with critics, including former city councillor Jean Swanson, denouncing his proposal to pause supportive housing construction and reduce the concentration of social services in the area.
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim 's plan to revitalize the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood has sparked controversy. Former city council lor Jean Swanson , a prominent anti-poverty activist, criticized Sim's proposal to pause the construction of new supportive housing units and reduce the concentration of social services in the area. Swanson argued that Sim's plan is 'not compassionate' and likened it to 'Trumpian' policies, asserting that housing is fundamental to health and safety.
She expressed concern that without new supportive housing units, some of the approximately 3,000 people on the city's waitlist could die while waiting. Sim unveiled his plan at a forum hosted by the Save Our Streets coalition, a group of businesses grappling with concerns about crime and public safety in areas like the Downtown Eastside. He stated that 77 percent of Metro Vancouver's supportive services are located in Vancouver, which has only 25 percent of the region's population. Sim attributed some of the Downtown Eastside's challenges to a 'cycle of hyper-concentrated social services' and suggested that integrating the neighbourhood more fully into the rest of the city would be beneficial. In response, B.C. Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon expressed a desire to discuss Sim's plan in detail. While acknowledging the need for other communities in Metro Vancouver to contribute to supportive housing, Kahlon emphasized the urgency of building more housing in Vancouver to prevent an increase in homelessness and encampments. He stressed that neglecting this issue would ultimately make communities less safe. Sim's press secretary, Kalith Nanayakkara, indicated that further details of the plan would be released closer to the date when the mayor presents a motion to council. Meanwhile, Russell Maynard, a long-time community harm reduction worker, shared his opinion on social media platform X, stating that Sim's plan addresses the right problem but offers the wrong solution. Councillor Peter Meiszner, a member of Sim's ABC Vancouver party, expressed optimism about the plan's potential for positive change, describing it as a 'long overdue change of direction in city policy' aimed at building a healthier neighbourhood. Swanson, however, was unsurprised by Sim's announcement, pointing out that the council had already eliminated several supportive housing units since taking office in 2022. She warned that without new supportive housing, homelessness would worsen, asserting that displacing people from the Downtown Eastside would only exacerbate the problem and fail to benefit anyone.
Vancouver Downtown Eastside Supportive Housing Mayor Ken Sim Jean Swanson Homelessness Social Services City Council Crime
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vancouver Mayor Pauses New Supportive Housing Construction to Revitalize Downtown EastsideVancouver Mayor Ken Sim announced a plan to revitalize the city's troubled Downtown Eastside, including pausing the construction of new supportive housing units. The mayor aims to integrate the neighborhood into the rest of the city, break the cycle of concentrated social services, and crack down on gang activity.
Read more »
Vancouver Mayor Pauses New Supportive Housing to Revitalize Downtown EastsideVancouver Mayor Ken Sim has unveiled a plan to revitalize the city's troubled Downtown Eastside, which includes pausing the construction of new supportive housing units. Sim aims to integrate the neighborhood into the rest of the city, reduce the concentration of social services, and crack down on gang activity.
Read more »
Vancouver mayor plans freeze on new supportive housing in Downtown EastsidePlan part of an effort to reverse concentration of homelessness and public safety issues in area
Read more »
Vancouver Mayor's Plan for Downtown Eastside Sparks ControversyVancouver Mayor Ken Sim's plan to revitalize the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood has drawn sharp criticism from advocates and former city councillors. Sim's proposal to pause the construction of new supportive housing units and reduce the concentration of social services in the area has been denounced as 'not compassionate' and 'akin to victim blaming' by Jean Swanson, a former city councillor and anti-poverty activist.
Read more »
Vancouver's Carnegie Community Centre Cafeteria Provides Nutritious Meals for Downtown Eastside ResidentsThe Carnegie Community Centre's cafeteria has long been a vital resource for residents of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, offering affordable and healthy meals every day of the year.
Read more »
Downtown Vancouver heritage building demolished over risk of collapseThe Dunsmuir House was built in 1909
Read more »