WHAT HAPPENS TO THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY IN THE WINTER?

Take a Walk Through Vancouver’s Hidden 2SLGBTQQIA+ History

ALEXIS ZYGAN (SHE/HER) Contributor ETHAN WORONKO (HE/HIM) Illustrator

The Downtown Eastside (DTES) is a neighbourhood renowned worldwide for high rates of substance abuse, poverty and HIV/AIDS. The same streets that harbour people on the margins of society are where social activists congregate to demand adequate mental health and addiction resources. Indigenous peoples protest modern systems of colonization by demanding their land back, which they never legally signed away, by occupying public parks. I spoke with Tanya Fader, Director of Housing at PHS Community Services Society, about what has led to Metro Vancouver's population of 3,634 homeless people and how the nonprofit sector supports and advocates for vulnerable community members. In addition to how students can foster empathy for those on the streets. The history of PHS remains closely entrenched in grassroots activism for vulnerable populations.

PHS is a low-barrier shelter, which implies that minimal restrictions are imposed as a means of harmreduction. "People who have been banned or kicked out of every other shelter in the city can access our spaces," says Fader. They were the first of their kind to offer a bed to people struggling with chronic addiction. Because of the low-barrier model, PHS was one of the only shelters to remain at maximum capacity throughout the previous winter season. Unfortunately, they had to turn away people seeking shelter, even after repurposing the Army and Navy building into a temporary housing space. As a result, crowded shelters are unable to meet the demands of the ever-growing homeless community.

Over the years, Vancouver has become a dumping ground for homeless people across Canada due to its temperate climate. Population growth within homeless communities was accelerated when the government removed funding from social services that serve marginalized communities. As a consequence, there are not enough resources in the DTES to meet the complex needs of people seeking shelter. Permanent solutions for systemic homeless require adequate funding and support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, to maintain safety, PHS worked alongside provincial health to reduce risks of contagion while also providing a warm space to shelter from wind and rain. The Strathcona and Crab Park encampment provided a much-needed community-driven solution to the housing crisis. Residents of these communities experienced a sense of togetherness, living alongside family and friends.

Indigenous people account for one-third of people experiencing homelessness. Therefore, occupying public parks is a way to fight for their land back. "We are on unceded Indigenous territory and it's completely understandable and justified that the Indigeous community would be fighting to exist on their own lands," says Fader. There are many reasons why a person would choose to stay in a tent instead of a shelter. And ideally, they should be able to do so with dignity. "For some people, their complex trauma is such that they really can't handle the environment of a shelter," says Fader. Shelters can be chaotic and many are gender-specific and refuse couples—which PHS tries their best to accommodate.

Many of the community members staying at park encampments have a justifiable distrust of authority. As a housing provider, the team at PHS works to gain the trust of individuals to have a conversation about their needs and offer solutions. Supporting Indigenous peoples' access to adequate, stable housing is a critical aspect of reconciliation that is swept under the rug by the Canadian Government who enact state power to forcefully remove people from parks. Then, newspapers publish articles about the exorbitant cost required to refurbish the parks which further contributes to a stigma against the homeless community.

Unfortunately, according to Western Investor, housing prices across the Greater Vancouver area are only expected to continue rising in 2021. The finite amount of land results in lack of supply for rental housing. Meanwhile, the appeal of Vancouver to real estate investors means that housing has evolved into an asset rather than a basic need. Many people misjudge vulnerable communities with complex struggles they don't fully understand. People who have never had a conversation with someone experiencing homelessness may have unfound preconceived beliefs, like that someone loses their home due to a personal failing. When in reality, the challenges that homeless people face are fourfold, and the reasoning is never straightforward or a sign of moral failure. Permanent housing requires robust solutions. "Until we get to the point where they have housing for everyone, sheltering plays a very important component," says Fader.

Anyone without a support system is more likely to become homeless after failing to pay rent or having a shady landlord who enacts a rental increase during a pandemic. Middle and low-class dwellers are stuck accepting overpriced rentals that often cost more than 30% of their paycheck due to the 2.6% vacancy rate. Fader points out that back in the day, Vancouver provided an affordable lifestyle for the middle-class. Now, "a lot of people who are working but just not earning enough are becoming homeless," says Fader. Then there are community members who struggle with complex mental illness, trauma and substance abuse, who may have been displaced from supportive facilities during budget cuts and forced to reside on the streets. Unfortunately, the chance for these people to solidify stable housing remains low.

When PHS opened Insite in 2003, North America's first legal supervised injection site, there was plenty of backlash from community members. However, PHS acknowledged the presence of an AIDS epidemic and recognized how a needle exchange would curb the spread of the disease. The opening of Insite required an exception from Health Canada and resulted in a Supreme Court Case. Now the site is supported by Vancouver Coastal Health. Many others similar to Insite have opened up across Canada. Currently, PHS advocates for a safe supply during a province-wide overdose crisis, working alongside community members and medical director Dr. Christy Sutherland to push forward with a safe supply of drugs.

Fader emphasizes that no one chooses to be homeless. Many challenges arise when living on the streets. "Generally most homeless people actually sleep during the day because it's safer," says Fader. These people are struggling to meet their basic needs. When interacting with homeless people, treat them with compassion, dignity and empathy. Try not to judge when someone who sleeps on the streets or uses drugs in public space. Historically, student-led activism can drive change by demanding more resources be allocated to support vulnerable communities. Donations of clean socks and shoes are beneficial for keeping community members warm and preventing infections.