'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
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.