Advocacy Issues

Residents of the Downtown Eastside are in danger of experiencing major displacement and homelessness. Zoning changes in the DTES are being tabled at City Council next week (Dec. 9) and we need to mobilize to resist gentrification that will cause more harm to low-income members of our city.

The City is proposing zoning amendments that will drastically reduce the number of social housing units and affordable housing for low-income residents in the Downtown Eastside/Oppenheimer District (DEOD).

Click to expand for details on what the changes include.

Changes include:

Decreasing the amount of social housing units required to be part of new developments in the area. Right now, developments are required to have 60% of their stock dedicated for social housing and the remaining 40% can be rented at market rate. Proposed policy changes would require only 20% units be for social housing, and 80% at market rate. This will change developers’ obligations when they replace Single Resident Occupancy (SRO) buildings, which provide housing of last resort for our neighbours who would otherwise be homeless. Right now, anyone redeveloping this kind of building has to replace each unit on a 1:1 basis. With the proposed changes, developers will only be required to replace 50-80% of those critical housing units.

“Social housing” would go from currently requiring at least 33% of units be rented at “shelter rates” ($500 per month for an individual) to just 20%. For example, under the proposed amendments, a new 100-unit development would only have 4 units available at shelter rates.

Public ownership of social housing units would no longer be required. Developers would own 100% of the building and lease back the social housing portion, meaning any public money or incentives (like government grants) end up subsidizing private ownership.

More market rate units in the neighbourhood will mean increased speculation in the area and increased land values. This will make building social housing more expensive, property taxes will increase, and rent will go up. This will no doubt lead to accelerated evictions and displacements.

We need your help to show Council that Vancouverites are standing up against gentrification and land speculation and that we need MORE, not less, affordable housing options!

Send a pre-written email below to City Council that you DO NOT support zoning changes in the Downtown Eastside as it will lead to devastating impacts for residents of the community.

You can also sign up to speak at City Council on December 9 at: https://vancouver.ca/your-government/request-to-speak-at-a-public-hearing-form-3.aspx.

---

If you do not see the form to send your letter, please refresh your browser.

“I had to sell all of my belongings and now I live in my vehicle, as I need to stay in the lower mainland but cannot find a house in my price range that will accept a pet.”

No one should have to choose between their pet and their home. But in BC 1.6 million renters bear the brunt of the housing crisis and with the lack of affordable housing options, there are even fewer for people who have pets.

The lack of pet-friendly rental options in BC is a barrier to safe housing for pet owners, especially those with lower incomes.

Pets are valued and loved members of many households across the province. Because of the physical and emotional benefits of pet ownership as well as the health and accessibility aspects, restricting pets in rentals is a fairness and human rights concern.

The lack of pet-friendly rental housing was a common theme we found in our BC Eviction Mapping Project. Tenants reported displacement, downsizing and even homelessness due to not being able to find housing that would accommodate their pet.

“[I had] Difficulty finding somewhere to move that allowed pets, had to move to a rougher neighbourhood, further away from work.”

In the BC NDP’s 2024 provincial election campaign, Premier David Eby promised to “stop pet evictions in purpose-built rentals” and recognized that no person should have to choose between their pet and their home.

We call on the provincial government to uphold that promise and prohibit pet bans in rentals. This will help protect the most vulnerable tenants, uphold their rights, and save them from having to choose between safe housing options or homelessness.

“The worst part this time around is that I think [I] have to leave my dog for a few months … We’re looking for pet friendly housing, but I just can’t afford the upfront costs all at once right now when inflation is hitting so hard.”

Use your voice and join us to stand up for tenants and pets across BC. Send a letter to your MLA asking them to prohibit restrictions on pets in any rental housing with five or more units.

You can read more about our suggestions for amendments to the RTA, outlined in our new law reform platform.

If you don’t see the form, please refresh and it should load again.

A message from the FIRST UNITED Social Justice Committee

You’ve helped us advocate for issues that affect the community we serve in the Downtown Eastside, including affordable housing and safe supply. Thank you for using your voices to push for change.

The next step you can take is to vote in the upcoming Vancouver by-election, happening on April 5. With important issues on the line, the stakes are high.

Voting is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference in your community. Right now, there has never been a more important time to exercise your democratic rights. FIRST UNITED has been serving the DTES community, including those who live in poverty, have mental health challenges, and people who use drugs, for over a century. Elections are a way to stand up for our community on the issues that impact people directly.

In this by-election, you’ll be voting to fill two vacant City Council seats. Get informed about each candidate and where they stand on issues that are important to you. Read more about each candidate by clicking the links provided here.

Ahead of the by-election, there are still a few all-candidate meetings happening in the city in case you haven’t had a chance to attend yet:

• Sunday, March 30 at 1:30pm-3:00pm at St. James Community Square regarding the Jericho Lands ODP
• Tuesday, April 1 from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Kerrisdale Community Centre Association

Make sure to ask questions about their stances on:

• Supportive housing and plans for more affordable housing in Vancouver.
• The Downtown Eastside and creating safety and dignity for those experiencing homelessness and poverty.
• The toxic drug supply and our need for increased investment in harm reduction and safe supply.
• Reconciliation, Indigenous rights and prioritizing Indigenous voices.

Your vote is important and will influence the future of the city. Thank you.

The FIRST UNITED Social Justice Committee
Jerome Bonneric
Jean Budden
Heather Clarke
Elizabeth KerklaanKatie Koncan
Marcia Lopez
Chris Wrightson