Downtown Eastside response plan includes 330 new homes by July

VANCOUVER — The Government of British Columbia’s Downtown Eastside response plan looks to provide 330 new homes by July.

According to a news release, more than 90 people sheltering outside on East Hastings Street have moved into safe homes through the plan with the goal of opening 330 additional units by the end of June.

The province claims there are 117 people currently sheltering outside on East Hastings Street and 70 have expressed interest in housing. Outdoor shelters on Hastings have been reduced from 180 to 74 since July 2022.

Since last summer, 139 single-room occupancy units have opened. The new 330 homes include 89 units opening this spring at 1525 and 1535 Western St. and 2142 Ash St.

“Everyone in the Downtown Eastside deserves a safe, stable and supportive place to call home. Over the past several months, we’ve led work with Indigenous, community and government partners to develop a coordinated response plan to help people get off the streets,” said Ravi Khalon, minister of housing, in the release.

The Downtown Eastside plan can be read at https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Strategy_DTES_provincial_response_plan.pdf