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"Refuge" by John Lyseyko, Hope in Shadows 2005.
The City of Vancouver identified the lack of adequate shelters
as a pressing problem in its 2005 report on homelessness.
Around 40,000 people living in the city are at risk of homelessness
(are in "core need" and spend more than 50 percent
of their income on shelter). There are only 612 permanent
shelter beds in the City, and only 65 transition shelters
for women and children fleeing abuse.
Pivot's analysis also caused the City to examine
closely the issue of affordability in "low-income housing"
and conversion of housing for the poorest residents of Vancouver's
core to housing for international students.
[ Pivot's
2005 low-income housing survey PDF 207 KB ]
Police searches of residential hotels
Thanks to two brave residents of the Pender
Hotel, Pivot was able to raise the issue of illegal police
searches of residential hotels, resulting in increased training
for Vancouver Police Officers on when they can search residential
hotel rooms. Pivot has requested a public hearing on this
issue.
Tenant standing sets precedent
Standing for a third party at a business license
hearing occured for the first time ever in Vancouver in early
May 2006 when the residents of the Lucky Lodge were allowed
to address City of Vancouver councillors. [see
article]
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Pressuring forces city to save the Lucky
Lodge
Pivot's support for the tenants of the Lucky
Lodge in April and May 2006 helped force the reconsideration
of closure, saving the homes of 63 residents. [see
article]
Housing affidavits
Pivot continues to work with marginalized persons
to identify and document systemic issues around housing and
homelessness by taking affidavits and providing one-on-one
access to resources to address housing issues.
These affidavits were compiled into Pivot's
report on housing published in September 2006, Cracks in the Foundation. The report analyses the impacts of lack
of healthy, affordable accommodation, and set out legal options
for systemic change.
Read the Cracks in the Foundation chapter The Enforcement of By-Laws.
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