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Guest Editorial, Darrell Burnham, Executive Director, Coast Mental Health
When I first heard the provincial government had purchased 10 SROs in Vancouver in April 2007, my initial opinion was that the primary benefit was protecting what I saw as poor, but necessary, housing from conversion. Since we’ve been awarded the St. Helen’s Hotel on Granville last December, my eyes have been opened - very wide - and I now have quite a different perspective.
In addition to protecting the housing stock, the decision to purchase the SROs and have the non-profits take over the operations has achieved two other very important objectives:
Improving the safety of the buildings - in the short run, the social environment; in the longer term, the structures;
Providing skilled support for tenants, many of whom have lived a long time in the buildings.
I think achieving these two goals will go a long way to improving the health and living situation for the tenants. My original perspective on SROs still remains; it’s still not my idea of ideal housing, but I recognize that for some people it’s an essential starting place.
The path ahead is challenging. These are very old buildings, they are tenanted with vulnerable individuals and what we want to do is to upgrade the buildings with necessary safety improvements and insert a supported housing model without displacing tenants - not at all easy. I’m encouraged by the commitment of BC Housing staff and the diverse non-profit partners. Though we’ve worked with many of the players over the years, this is a different task with the groups unified by a common goal. There is stress throughout this process, but good will has dominated the meetings and discussions. I look forward to a time in about 18 months when we can look back on the decision to purchase the SROs and can truly identify the value for the tenants and the public.
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| SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY HOTELS |
Updates on renovations
Most of the government-owned SRO hotels need substantial repairs. There are several steps that must be taken which means this can be a lengthy process. Nevertheless, significant progress is being made. The SROs are now being operated by reputable and experienced housing providers and have been upgraded to meet immediate safety standards. BC Housing meets regularly with Atira Property Management to ensure that any additional repairs that are needed are made and that the fire and safety systems work properly. Once renovations are complete, tenants will be living in newly renovated suites and benefiting from support services provided by the operators.
Read more about the government-owned SROs including the tentative construction schedule and the coordinated tenant selection service.
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| HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM |
The Homeless Outreach Program has expanded and non-profit organizations have been selected to begin homeless outreach services in seven communities and four organizations have also been selected to provide increased outreach services in Vancouver and Prince George.
In Vancouver, the new organizations providing services are Collingwood Neighbourhood House in Collingwood/Renfrew, Kettle Friendship Society in Grandview, and MPA Society in Kitsilano.
Read more about the expansion of the Homeless Outreach Program in Vancouver.
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| Who's Who? |
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Vancouver’s Community Non-Profit Partners
Eighteen of the city’s most experienced and respected non-profit groups work to deliver housing, shelter and support services to those in greatest need. For a contact list of the partners that operate the SROs, deliver the Homeless Outreach Program, and/or provide emergency shelter in Vancouver, click here.
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| About the Newsletter |
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Vancouver Housing Update is an e-newsletter collaboration between the Vancouver Community Non-Profit Partners that work with BC Housing on breaking the cycle of homelessness. These community partners operate the Single Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) owned by the provincial government, deliver the Homeless Outreach Program, and/or provide emergency shelter in Vancouver.
The purpose of the e-newsletter is to provide accurate and timely information to tenants, advocacy and community groups, and anyone else who wants to be kept up to date on what is happening on the housing front for people in Vancouver who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
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| Community Feedback |
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Thank you to everyone who responded positively to our first issue of Vancouver Housing Update in April 2008. Here is a sampling of some of the e-mails we received.
Thanks so much for such a great update. Many of the women who come to WISH will be affected in one way or another by the upgrades to housing stock and may have opportunities to move into the renovated buildings. The information in your newsletter will be of great assistance when we are asked questions as to what is going on in different buildings.
We will circulate this to our staff and volunteers so that they have this information at their fingertips.
Keep up the great work!
Kate Gibson
WISH Drop In Centre
We like to hear from you..let us know what you think.
E-mail the editor
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