UBC students have signed an open letter to provincial leaders, calling for provision of housing options to all unhoused residents, creation of permanent non-market housing, cancellation of rent debt and continuation of an evictions ban.
The letter highlights the urgency of providing housing as part of preparatory public health measures before the expected second wave of COVID-19 hits BC.
UBC students and organizers of Covid-19 Coming Together Vancouver, Gabby Doebeli and Ishmam Bhuiyan and Thea Baines — in collaboration with the UBC Social Justice Centre — are among the organizers and supporters of the letter.
“Given the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that we figure out a way to call on the province [to act] because what we’ve seen is not a lot of action. Housing justice is one of the best defenses against the pandemic. By doing this, we have the ability to save lots of lives,” said Baines.
Findings from the 2019 Vancouver Homeless Count Report suggest there is an upward trend in the number of people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver. In total, 7,655 individuals in BC were identified as experiencing homelessness in 2018.
“The most important part of the letter is the call to end homelessness. The existence of homelessness is unacceptable during a global pandemic,” said Bhuiyan.
Among the recommendations for the provincial government was to provide rent relief. An online survey conducted by the Vancouver mayor’s office revealed an increasing proportion of homeowners unable to pay their monthly mortgage and renters unable to make monthly rent due to the pandemic.
To Doebeli, Bhuiyan and Baines, a topic of importance in the conversation about housing justice is BC’s actions regarding tent cities. In response to the pandemic, provincial authorities have moved more than 500 homeless campers in tent cities to motels and temporary shelters. Fundamentally, they believe that people should be given the autonomy to choose to be housed in such shelters.
“While we are supportive of housing people in hotels, we consider forced displacement and forced eviction as an act of violence,” said Doebeli, raising concerns about the shutting down of tent cities.
“Tent cities are beneficial to their residents. They provide a sense of community, safety and an opportunity for physical distancing,” she added.
Doebeli also expressed concerns surrounding the lack of options for safe, barrier-free housing as hotel rooms may be inaccessible for some unsheltered residents. She also indicated how the lack of information on BC’s plan to provide long term housing leaves displaced folks with a large sense of uncertainty.
The open letter is still accepting signatories. Individuals and organizations who would like to support the cause are encouraged to sign the letter and circulate it to their networks.
“This is an opportunity for us to build a more inclusive and equitable future and to be able to emerge from the pandemic with housing for all that is inclusive, affordable and long-term,” said Doebeli.