Vancouver to transform Downtown Eastside by pausing supportive housing, cracking down on crime – BC [Video]

The City of Vancouver says it will not approve any new construction of new supportive housing units in the city as it works to transform the Downtown Eastside (DTES).

“The Downtown Eastside reflects our city’s resilience, but also its struggles,” Sim said at the Save Our Streets Forum. “For too long, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent without delivering meaningful change. It’s time for a new direction — one that prioritizes recovery, inclusivity, and public safety while integrating the DTES into the broader Vancouver community.”

In what Sim called a pivotal moment in the city’s approach to addressing addiction, crime and housing challenges in the DTES, he outlined three proposed policy shifts.

The first is an update of the Downtown Eastside Area Plan to encourage a mix of housing, businesses, and services. Sim said this approach will aim to break the cycle of hyper-concentrated services in the DTES, including supportive housing, shelter services, …