Dozens of residents in the Strathcona neighbourhood in Vancouver rallied Tuesday morning to demand safe housing for those living in the large tent city in Strathcona Park.
There have been countless clashes over the past few weeks between homeowners and campers, with many homeowners saying they have been yelled at and threatened, and no longer feel safe.
But Tuesday’s rally was about calling for supportive housing for the park residents.
“We’re trying to get safe housing, number one, for the group of people that have been forced to make camp at Strathcona Park,” resident Maureen Teahan told Global News.
“What we really wanted to do was bring awareness to this problem and get our government agents to come and do something and come and take a look. It’s just that nothing’s been done.”
Everyone deserves the right to be housed safely along with access to support for drug addiction and mental health issues if needed, Teahan said.
“Everybody needs to be loved, supported and have a safe place to live.”
Peter Portuondo has been living in Strathcona Park for about a month after losing his job and home due to COVID-19.
He said many people in the tent city want to get help, but just as many appear to want to be left alone.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart has been heavily criticized over the encampment.
Earlier this month, he tabled a motion at council for city staff to explore more options, including setting up temporary emergency relief camps on vacant land and temporarily converting city-owned buildings into emergency housing or shelter space.
Staff are to report to council this Friday.
The motion also called on staff to work with BC Housing to secure more long-term housing, and expedite approval for 450 modular homes.
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