'Where's everyone going to go?' Tent removal continues in DTES as future housing for hundreds remains unclear
Sanitation workers with the City of Vancouver continued walking East Hastings Street Wednesday, urging people to store their items in city-provided containers and eventually remove their tents and structures from the sidewalks.
On Tuesday, crews began enforcing an order from Vancouver's fire chief to remove all tents and structures on Hastings Street between Gore Avenue and Abbott Street.
Few tents have been removed at this point, with the City of Vancouver saying the process could take weeks to complete.
Nicole Gibbons is one of hundreds who received a notice instructing her to place her belongings in storage. She’s lived in a tent along Main Street for nearly eight months and says she prefers the streets over shelters.
“There’s so many bugs, gross,” said Gibbons. “The people steal.”
Other people living in tents told CTV News they’re open living in shelters.
Jennifer Humchitt is a tenant support worker who says she’s lived and worked in the Downtown Eastside for the past 30 years.
“This is the worst I’ve seen it,” said Humchitt, referring to the city’s lack of social services and housing.
“This should have never happened in the first place. Before they move, they have to have a plan.”
Some people living in the area have started filling out BC Housing applications. Marcella Jacobs, commonly referred to as "Momma Marcy," started distributing the forms Tuesday.
“I’m going to see if they can get housing,” said Jacobs.
Jacobs says around a dozen forms have been filled out since Tuesday.
BC Housing, however, told CTV News that rooms are in very short supply.
“Housing space is tight in Vancouver,” said Henry Glazebrook, media relations acting manager for BC Housing.
“We have been clear with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services that, on short notice, we do not have access to large numbers of new spaces in Vancouver to accommodate the timing of the emergency order.”
Gibbons, among many others CTV News spoke with, feels anxious about her future.
“Where's everyone going to go?”
The City of Vancouver provided the following response when asked that same question.
“The city continues to work with BC Housing to look at a variety of options for responding to homelessness, including temporary measures, such as emergency shelters, and longer-term options, such as the expedited creation of more supportive housing.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.