City opens temporary homeless shelters for Oppenheimer Park campers; residents angry

VANCOUVER — Residents living near two temporary homeless shelters are upset they weren’t consulted — or even told about the shelters that have been set up to house the campers at Vancouver’s Oppenheimer Park.

City officials announced the new housing at 900 Pacific, at the former ‘A Kettle of Fish restaurant;’ the Union Gospel Mission and 1335 Howe will all help house the Oppenheimer campers, earlier this week, after filing an injunction in the B.C. Supreme Court to dismantle the camp.

WATCH: What will happen to Oppenheimer Park campers?

The illegal camp-out sprung up in the summer and has grown to house over 200 tents. The city estimates there are between 160 and 170 people sleeping overnight in the park.

The city says “health and safety conditions at the park have deteriorated,” and that it’s now necessary for the city to take action to ensure the well-being of the campers, and to allow residents and organizations to once again use the park.

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“Camping is not allowed and neither is creating structures in parks, because these create barriers and safety concerns for other residents who want to use and enjoy the park space,” reads a statement from the city.  Mayor Gregor Robertson said it’s time for the park to return to its original state.

“We expect and hope that we will be able to resolve this peacefully,” he says.

40 campers from the park have recently been placed into existing housing, and 50 more campers are on a wait list for housing. The city says 50 more people may be homeless at Oppenheimer Park.

But not everyone is pleased with this news.

“We found out about it on Global News. We heard nothing at all about it…we didn’t get a single notice at all,” nearby resident Lin Sheffield told Global News.

The City said they sent a letter to residents on September 19 about the shelters, but many say they never received it. It doesn’t mention neighborhood consultation or public meetings.

“Consult with the neighborhood. We’re the stakeholders. We live here. We want to address homeless issues but you have to meet with us,” says Sheffield.

 –With files from John Daly.