New vision proposed for Downtown Eastside
Posted Jul 20, 2010 06:59:57 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Downtown Eastside could be transformed by decriminalizing drugs, providing treatment on demand and building more social housing.
Just a few of the suggestions from what’s being called a new vision for the neighbourhood developed over the past two years with input from 1,200 people who live there.
Wendy Pederson with the Carnegie Community Action Project admits some of the ideas aren’t new. “That’s because governments have not done enough to stabilize the tenure and the good things and assets of the low-income community. Displacement is happening. It’s happening right now, and it’s been happening the last few years; more and more through rent increases,” she says.
The report calls for fewer bars to be open in the neighbourhood and to have them close earlier. It also wants a legal flea market located there.
