Guest Editorial David MacIntyre, Executive Director, MPA

How do you create a supportive community in a Downtown Eastside SRO hotel?

In 1998 the Motivation Power and Achievement Society purchased the Hampton Hotel on Powell Street, ensuring affordable housing would continue to be available in the Downtown Eastside. After significant planning and in partnership with BC Housing, the hotel underwent significant renovations in 2006. The hotel was transformed into a home and a supportive community environment for people recovering from mental illness. The renovations created liveable independent suites but also created a communal kitchen which became the social epicentre for the new Hampton community. Tenants work together to create meals and a supportive environment.

Since the renovations, we have had many visitors from around the country interested in learning more about the transition from individual rooms to a supportive environment where people have their own space but live in a social, supportive environment. It all began with the much needed renovations. Tenants were relocated during the extensive renovations. However, almost all returned to the Hampton after a year and began the process of creating a new community.

MPA has been chosen as the operator of the Savoy Hotel and we hope to follow a similar path with this hotel. Like the Hampton, the residents have been relocated during renovations and all are welcome to return to the hotel once the work is complete. It is expected that they will return to a much improved living situation and will have the opportunity to start developing their supportive community. As part of the renewal, the Savoy Hotel will receive a new name.

MPA supports the purchase of SRO hotels by BC Housing and we look forward to working with our partners and tenants to develop a safe, supportive environment for all.

On Thursday August 14, the VPD, BC Housing and homeless outreach workers collaborated as a team and entered Oppenheimer Park to help relocate about 40 homeless people who were camping in the park along with many others over the past few weeks.

The health and safety conditions in the park were deteriorating and the VPD was becoming increasingly concerned about on-going violence, drug-use, drug-dealing and the unsafe sanitary conditions.

It was apparent that the danger level in the park was escalating and before anyone could get hurt the VPD and BC Housing collaborated to find a solution. They entered the park and set up a kiosk and met with people who needed housing. BC Housing placed them in units it was able to free up in four of the SRO hotels, which were being used as temporary accommodation for existing tenants to occupy while their units were being renovated.

BC Housing is currently managing renovations for the 17 downtown government-owned SROs and is working to ensure that the renovations proceed on schedule without any delays because of the loss of these temporary units.

Read more updates about the government-owned SROs including the tentative construction schedule.

Collingwood Neighbourhood House collaborating with Coast Mental Health

Three new Vancouver neighbourhoods have recently started receiving services through the Homeless Outreach Program. In Collingwood/Renfrew, Collingwood Neighbourhood House is working with Coast Mental Health to provide outreach workers who canvas the community looking for homeless people and connecting them to housing and other support services.

Coast already offers outreach services through the Homeless Outreach Program in Yaletown and will be the non-profit housing provider at the St. Helen’s Hotel once renovations are complete on this government-owned SRO.

Read more about the Homeless Outreach Program in Vancouver.

More Vancouver shelters making the switch to 24/7 operations

Two more shelters in the Downtown Eastside will be moving to 24/7 operations soon. The Haven, with 40 beds, and the Beacon, with 60, are both run by The Salvation Army’s Vancouver Harbour Light.

Read more about the Emergency Shelter Program in Vancouver.