Single Room Occupancy Hotels

Non-profit SRO operators, Province and VPD collaborate on Partners in Action protocol

Mark Smith, Executive Director, RainCity Housing and Support Society, speaking at the Partners in Action news conference.

Representatives from the 10 non-profit societies that manage 17 provincially-owned SROs, Minister of Housing and Social Development Rich Coleman, and Vancouver Police Chief Constable Jim Chu gathered October 17 to announce a "Partners in Action" protocol. This unique partnership is designed to ensure the SROs are a safe, secure, and supportive housing environment.

The protocol consists of six specific actions:

  • A Partners in Action decal to be prominently displayed at participating SRO hotels to ensure a safe and secure environment;
  • Vancouver Police Beat Officers assigned to hotels to enhance communications and collaboration;
  • A Vancouver Police publication for police and the non-profit operators to ensure clear roles and expectations of police;
  • The Province has provided a one-page description to the VPD of each SRO hotel, including an overview of the support services available to residents, and the name of the non-profit operator and contact information. The VPD will also be providing this information to E-Comm with regard to the client base at these SROs, for the information of officers being deployed to these residences so members are aware of any special needs;
  • The VPD has provided a list of Staff Sergeants and contact information to the non-profit operators to improve communication in dealing with more complex, long-term issues; and,
  • The VPD is also developing a plan to have new recruits receive a half-day orientation session in SROs beginning in 2009.

From left: John van Dongen, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General; Vancouver Police Chief Constable Jim Chu; and Minister Rich Coleman show off one of the new Partners in Action decals.

The protocol came about following discussions between the non-profit operators, provincial officials and the police. The VPD was invited to attend one of the regular SRO operational meetings. All parties saw an opportunity to establish a partnership to achieve the shared goal of creating safe housing environments. Substantial steps have already been taken to implement the protocol.

The partnership is intended to establish trust between the hotel operators and the police, and with the hotel residents. Improved communication should reduce potential for criminal activity and therefore the number of times police respond to 9-1-1 calls. The non-profit operators and the Province are determined to make these SROs places where tenants and staff can live and work free from unwanted influences and pressures. The VPD shares this view and is willing to dedicate specific resources to achieve this goal.

The Savoy Hotel

Renovations update

Preconstruction work has now been completed on all of the government-owned SROs purchased in April 2007 as well as on the Marr Hotel which was purchased in February 2008. Renovations are underway or are about to begin in most of the hotels which were purchased in 2007 and construction is scheduled to be completed before the end of this year at both The Rice Block and Orange Hall. Work at the Carl Rooms is three to four months ahead of schedule, thanks to thorough pre-planning resulting in an efficient construction phase.

Major structural repairs are required to the Marble Arch Hotel’s south wall to save it from potentially collapsing. The façade has been removed and is now being replaced with a new wall. At the same time, the common bathrooms on all floors are being upgraded and the 38 suites on the south wall are being completely renovated. All the tenants in units adjoining the south wall were relocated to newly renovated suites on the building’s north elevation. The Marble Arch is being used for tenant relocations during the SRO renovation process.

The Marr Hotel (which has been vacant prior to its purchase) is currently receiving structural, mechanical and electrical upgrades to ensure its safety and serviceability. Its 28 units will be available for relocation purposes shortly.

Tenants have been relocated thus far from the Walton Hotel to Tamura House and from the Savoy to the Drake. Fifty per cent of the Park Hotel tenants have relocated to a variety of new homes. In mid to late November, tenants from the Orwell, St Helen’s, and the Molson’s Bank Building/Roosevelt Hotel will begin relocations to allow for construction. Each building has a unique relocation plan designed in consultation with the contractor. Some tenants will move within their buildings while others may move to other locations during construction. All relocated tenants will have the opportunity to return to a renovated SRO unit that best meets their support needs.

College Place Hotel

In New Westminster, renovations are underway on College Place Hotel, a government-owned SRO that is being managed by Lookout Emergency Aid Society. This building includes 40 units plus a 15-bed shelter. The tenants occupying the SRO units have been temporarily relocated to allow for construction, while shelter operations remain fully functional.

Lookout staff and BC Housing’s Health Services Coordinators were instrumental in helping tenants understand the need for relocation and how the upgrades to the building will benefit everyone upon their return. Most tenants are currently living at Peterson Place in Surrey; this site is managed by Fraserside Community Services Society. Several others have been given homes in BC Housing sites.

Commercial space

Many of the government-owned SROs include commercial space at street level. These retail areas are also undergoing renovations which will enhance the streetscapes and encourage retail opportunities that contribute to a sense of community. BC Housing and the non-profit operators will ensure commercial tenants are compatible with a building’s residential tenants. Retail space also has the potential to become an important source of revenue for the non-profit operators.

SRO "before" photos

Photographer Michael Bednar has been taking photos of most of the government-owned SROs before construction begins. Once renovations are complete, he will take the "after" shots.

Following is some of Michael’s work...

Arco Hotel Park Hotel
Molson’s Bank Building/Roosevelt Savoy Hotel
Gastown Hotel March Arch Hotel St. Helen's Hotel

Walton Hotel renovations

Behind the hoarding and scaffolding at 261 - 265 East Hastings is the shell of the Walton Hotel. Built at the turn of the 20th century when lumber was cheap and plentiful, this government-owned SRO is currently undergoing substantial renovations. A significant number of rotten structural beams, walls and floors were discovered during the building’s pre-construction period. The beams on the top floors were so rotten that they were no longer bearing any weight. Instead, this was transferred to the walls, which were laminated lumber. They were all that was keeping the building from falling down and likely would not have withstood even a minor earthquake. The building’s back wall had to be rebuilt. The roof leaked and sagged and the skylights were all damaged beyond repair. There were high concentrations of lead, mould and asbestos throughout the building.

The reconstruction work is labour intensive and time consuming. These photos were taken at the Walton earlier this month.

An overview shot from one of the upper floors shows the extent the building had to be gutted. A rotten floor now supported by a new beam (orange) below.
Examples of rotten beams. Beams have been or will be replaced on every level in the building.
New beams installed. The back wall was structurally unsound and has been replaced. Project Superintendent Ron Gust easily removes portions of the stone windowsills and crumbles it in his hand.

Tentative construction schedule

Hotel Units Non-Profit Operator Anticipated Pre-Construction Period Anticipated Renovation Start Anticipated Renovation Completion
St. Helens Hotel 96 Coast Foundation Society* COMPLETED UNDERWAY September 2009
Walton Hotel 51 Lookout Emergency Aid Society COMPLETED UNDERWAY June 2009
Orange Hall 27 S.U.C.C.E.S.S.* COMPLETED October 2008 December 2008
Carl Rooms 47 Union Gospel (Heatley) Housing Society COMPLETED UNDERWAY March 2009
Molson's Bank Building/Roosevelt 45 PHS Community Services Society COMPLETED November 2008 September 2009
Park Hotel 55 City Centre Care Society* COMPLETED UNDERWAY September 2009
Orwell Hotel 55 Vancouver Native Housing Society COMPLETED November 2008 July 2009
Savoy Hotel 26 MPA Society* COMPLETED UNDERWAY August 2009
The Rice Block 42 Atira Women's Resource Society* COMPLETED UNDERWAY November 2008
Gastown Hotel 95 TBD* TBD TBD TBD
Shaldon Hotel 55 RainCity Housing and Support Society TBD TBD TBD
Arco Hotel 63 TBD* TBD TBD TBD
Pender Hotel 40 Vancouver Native Housing Society TBD TBD TBD
Marr Hotel 28 Atira Women’s Resource Society COMPLETED UNDERWAY December 2008
Will be used for tenant relocations
Rainier Hotel 46 TBD TBD TBD TBD
Tamura House 110 Lookout Emergency Aid Society TBD TBD TBD
College Place Hotel 40 Lookout Emergency Aid Society COMPLETED UNDERWAY September 2009
Marble Arch Hotel 149 City Centre Care Society* COMPLETED UNDERWAY Phase 1: April 2009. Is being used for tenant relocations.
Drake Hotel 25 Atira Property Management This City-owned building is being used for tenant relocations during the SRO renovation process and will then be replaced with a new building providing supportive housing that will be managed by RainCity Housing and Support Society.
* Atira Property Management is managing this building until renovations are complete, at which time the non-profit operator will take over management.

Bedbug protocol

An old bed leans up against a wall at the Gastown Hotel.

Bedbugs are again a fact of life. A better understanding of the danger of chemicals once used to eradicate them has resulted in bedbug infestations in places from the world’s best hotels to SROs in the Downtown Eastside. However, as much as possible is being done to prevent the transfer of bedbugs during tenant relocations.

The #1 rule implemented for each move is that no beds are transferred to new locations. A "bedbug room" has been established in each building and tenants take their belongings there prior to their moves. Clothing and linens are shipped to professional laundries, while the rest of their belongings are quarantined. A pest control company sprays these before they are moved to a tenant’s new unit.

Tenants at the Gastown Hotel suffered recently from a bedbug infestation. "We had to work with tenants to support them to let go of some of their belongings and have others sprayed or professionally laundered," said Janice Abbott, Executive Director of Atira. "We tackled the problem floor by floor, with tenants having to be out for the day when their floor was being sprayed."

A buffet was set up in the Marble Arch’s common room where Gastown tenants were able to spend the day enjoying food and movies. Upon their return, they had new beds and linens and, more importantly, rooms free from bugs.

Fact or fiction?

Answers to some commonly asked questions about SRO operations.

Q. Do tenants who moved into the SROs from Oppenheimer Park have to go into a treatment program?
A. No, these tenants were given unconditional housing.

Q. What incentives are SRO tenants given to relocate for renovations?
A. All their moving and relocation costs are covered and they are given a $50 gift certificate to Army and Navy or a retailer of the non-profit operator’s choice. Upon return, they will have a renovated room with a new bed and a new fridge.

From SRO to public housing

Walk into George’s* apartment on the top floor of a West End tower and you’re greeted by a million dollar view over English Bay. It’s a far cry from his home over the bar of the Park Hotel just a few months ago. George has moved from a part of town addled with addicts to a peaceful home where he can indulge his love of cooking. Pizza dough is rising on the counter and his fridge is full. There’s plenty of shopping in his new neighbourhood including a farmers’ market in the summer months in the park just across the street. He hopes to join the community garden in his new building and is also thinking of applying for one of the City’s nearby garden plots. George is also planning on volunteering soon at the SPCA.

"I like it here; how could I not?" said the 66-year-old. "It’s quiet; my neighbours are friendly."

George lived at the Park for several years and in a few other private SROs before that. A gentle man, he pauses when asked what it means to have a safe home. "I don’t know how to answer. Living here is wonderful; I can’t explain. It feels so good to have a nice place to come home to."

Editor’s note: George is one of 21 former SRO tenants who now live in public housing.

* Name has been changed to protect privacy.

New Atira tenant liaison workers

Tenants at many of the government-owned SROs are getting to know Ana Cagas and Maddy Carlington. They are new tenant liaison workers with Atira Property Management, which is managing the St. Helen’s Hotel, Orange Hall, Park Hotel, Savoy Hotel, The Rice Block, Gastown Hotel, Arco Hotel, Marble Arch, and Drake Hotel until renovations are complete. Both Ana and Maddy have worked as frontline support workers with Atira Women’s Resource Society.

Oppenheimer Park camper settles in at the Marble Arch

"It’s a humble beginning but a good start," said Marcel as he surveyed the small room at the Marble Arch Hotel that has been his home since mid-August. Marcel was one of about 40 homeless people moved from a makeshift campground in Oppenheimer Park to various government-owned SROs. He had been living in the camp for about a week.

"It [the move] was frightening at first because I didn’t know where I was going. When you’re homeless, it’s easy to equate offers of help with danger. So, I felt a mixture of fear and joy. When I was handed the key to my room, it became real. I’d started on my journey back to being whole."

Marcel, 44, had been homeless off and on since 1989. He has lived in private SROs and was found housing twice before by the Carnegie Outreach team that works in the Downtown Eastside, but was not able to maintain his tenancy. This time, he is determined to make things work. He sees a psychologist regularly and is seeking help with what he describes as a mild addiction and the occasional trouble he still has with anger and depression. Textbooks from the four semesters he spent studying civil engineering are scattered throughout his room as he brushes up on his studies. He intends to apply to BCIT’s program and hopes to be back at school in the new year.

"It’s awesome here; it gives me real peace of mind to know that someone is taking care of me and that I’m taking care of me too. There are tons of resources in Vancouver - you just need the courage and the willingness to use them. I’m starting to feel more confident and ready to get back to regular routines."

Housing and the Downtown Community Court

Gordon Gies

The Downtown Community Court has been in session since mid-September. As of October 1, case management plans that require housing were given to seven people. All of these requests were met immediately, with five people now living at the Shaldon Hotel and another two finding homes at The Salvation Army’s Belkin House.

BC Housing’s Health Services Coordinator Gordon Gies works closely with staff at the Downtown Community Court to arrange these accommodations. BC Housing is also funding a half-time outreach worker from RainCity Housing and Supports to search for homes for people who demonstrate the ability to live independently. Rent supplements have been made available for this.

"Things are going well so far and we’ve been able to address the housing needs of people of who have indicated to the court that they are homeless or have no fixed address and are willing to be case managed," said Gordon. "One of them had been sleeping under a bridge for a year and she was feeling pretty good to have a place to stay inside."

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