At Lookout Shelter we met a number of people who came to Vancouver because the services they need aren't available in their home communities. Those with mental health issues are drawn to Vancouver for treatment and support, but when they get here there is nowhere for them to live and they end up in emergency shelters.
We also heard that, increasingly, those who are in transitional housing are staying longer than their allotted time, because there is no more independent housing available for them. Similarly, the stays at emergency shelters have been getting longer and longer for the same reason.
We met with many residents of the Downtown Eastside who are very fearful that their community may be disappearing. With increased condo development, the disappearance of SRO hotels and low cost apartments, the character of the neighbourhood is at risk.
Thanks to all of the kind people who took time to meet with us on this, the last day of Finding Our Way Home.
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The Vancouver condos are definitely taking over the leader position as the most favourable living option. More and more people want to move closer to the city centre and the real estate prices are going up. It`s very obvious that greater attention should be paid to the housing issue what concerns the emergency shelters to provide a living option for those who cannot find a place where living is affordable.
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