Nearby residents no longer want the motel used to house the vulnerable and have started an online petition to try to change that.

"I've had two bad rentals in 12 years, but this is the worst I've ever seen a unit."

"This has happened four times in the past and we really aren't looking for a fifth tent city," said Minister of Social Development Shane Simpson.

The building, to be located at 1055 and 1063 Ellis Street, will have 38 self-contained studio units, each with a private washroom, shower and kitchen.

More than 600 temporary spaces have been secured in the B.C. Interior to protect people experiencing homelessness if a COVID-19 outbreak were to occur.

Advocates for the Downtown Eastside camp say the plan is only focused on the most visible of Vancouver's homeless, and that thousands more need those hotel units first.

The transition — meant to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus within groups of people already at risk — will be a temporary one with the goal of moving people into longer-term housing at a later date, officials are promising.

Social Development Minister Shane Simpson is expected to make the formal announcement on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Renters will have to wait until early next week to see if B.C. introduces a ban on evictions, along with details on financial relief.

'It's clean ... I think by next week, it will be even cleaner. And there isn't this tension anymore,' said a member of the Buddhist temple nearby.