Dozens of campers at Oppenheimer Park have refused to leave despite a city-mandated 6 p.m. deadline Wednesday.
The City of Vancouver says about 50 people have agreed to move out of their tents in the Downtown Eastside park and move into housing units in publicly owned and non-profit-run buildings.
WATCH: Oppenheimer Park tent city given two days to move
BC Housing says around 100 units are available for camp residents.
On Monday, approximately 200 people were given notice to pack up and leave the park by Wednesday night.
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But by the time the deadline hit, many more said they’re not budging, arguing the camp is safer and cleaner than the single-room occupancy (SRO) hotel units being offered to them.
“I’m here to the end,” said Gary, a tent city resident who spoke on the condition he be identified by his first name only. “Not going to stop.”
WATCH: Coverage of the Oppenheimer Park encampment on Globalnews.ca
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Oppenheimer Park neighbours say tent city situation worsening -
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Vancouver mayor says he won’t shut down Oppenheimer Park encampment -
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Calls to resist ‘quick fix’ for Oppenheimer Park tent city -
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Oppenheimer Park campers push back on police safety concerns -
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Growing concerns about downtown eastside Vancouver park -
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Oppenheimer Park campers displace more events
Another resident who only identified himself as Billy said moving into supportive housing would be like “going to jail.”
“They give you 30-day restrictions, they monitor your visitors,” he said. “I mean it’s nice to have a roof over your head, and beggars can’t be choosers, I guess.”
The city and Vancouver police have continued to raise safety concerns about the encampment, which peaked after a shooting across the street from the park in July.
In a release, the city says the park has seen 17 fires since February.
Despite concerns from the campers and their advocates that they would be forcibly removed Wednesday, police were only on site to keep the peace.
Vancouver Park Board staff are assessing whether to obtain a special court order that would clear the park.
—With files from Julia Foy and Erin Ubels
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