Vancouver, B.C., one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, might be expected to have a chronic homelessness problem. And it does. Its visible manifestations — tent encampments — have lately been been focussed on one 400-tent monster in Strathcona Park, much to the discomfort of authorities, to say nothing of local neighbours.
With the hounds baying at the camp from all corners, Vancouver councillor Rebecca Bligh proposes that the city of Vancouver wake up to the reality of the camp’s closure. It’s not going to happen.
Yes, the encampment might be cleared from Strathcona Park, but all evidence suggests that this bubble under the wallpaper will simply be pushed somewhere else — either one giant bubble, or fragmented yet again into smaller bubbles.
With human rights part of the agenda, courts are becoming more reluctant to permit arbitrary displacements without some alternative place for the people who experience homelessness to live. What, then, are the alternative ways that Vancouver can deal with its growing homeless population?
According to Bligh, that means more supportive affordable housing, starting now. So what are the implications of such an inevitability, one that many other cities and regions will be forced to face?
Read more in the Vancouver Sun: Rebecca Bligh: Clearing Vancouver park encampments means a new look at housing solutions
