Downtown Eastside

Extreme heat, extreme inequality: Addressing climate justice in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

The hottest summer ever recorded in the northern hemisphere is a stark reminder of the immediacy of the climate crisis.

Key Points:

The hottest summer ever recorded in the northern hemisphere is a stark reminder of the immediacy of the climate crisis.
And the hardest hit by climate impacts, such as residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, are often those with the least capacity to adapt.
People who live in this community are exposed to climate hazards made worse by a lack of green space and shoddy and aging housing.

Climate change impacts

A changing climate has a heightened impact on residents due to several intersecting challenges.
During a heat wave, urban tree canopy and access to nature can be lifesaving public goods.
Read more:
'Statistically impossible' heat extremes are here – we identified the regions most at risk
Too often research on disproportionate climate impacts like this fails to reach those most affected.
Researchers need to take the time to make their practices more accessible and connected to community-driven climate research needs.

Overcoming barriers

A crucial step lies in universities such as the University of British Columbia seeking out opportunities to work more closely with climate-vulnerable groups.
Residents deserve access to research on climate impacts and a voice in advocating for fairer climate policies.
Making climate research easier to access and understand can set the conditions for transformative adaptation and help build resilience.

Centres of change and empowerment

The UN Secretary General has pointed out that universities are “essential to our success” on climate action.
Read more:
Transformational change is coming to how people live on Earth, UN climate adaptation report warns: Which path will humanity choose?
For these commitments to be fully realized and reflected in policy outcomes, climate research needs to be accessible and actionable.

Decriminalization: How police drug seizure, even without arrest, can create harms

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual campaign to end overdose and drug poisonings while also remembering those who have died, is Aug. 31.

Key Points:

International Overdose Awareness Day, an annual campaign to end overdose and drug poisonings while also remembering those who have died, is Aug. 31.
Events are being held in communities across Canada, a sign of a worsening crisis that has taken more than 36,000 lives since 2016.
The decriminalization of people who use drugs has long been one of the proposed solutions, an approach that is currently being piloted in British Columbia.

Depenalization in Vancouver

Seventeen years ago, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) launched its drug policy to promote the depenalization of simple possession offences.
Local communities of people who use drugs and public health advocates in Vancouver expressed concern about the harm created by this policing behaviour.
We undertook surveys involving more than 1,800 people who used drugs on a daily basis in Vancouver to investigate this often undocumented discretionary policing practice.

Police drug seizures without arrest

For example, it can put people at a higher risk of drug market violence by creating drug debts.
Amid the ongoing drug toxicity crisis, increasing the frequency of buying drugs in the unregulated drug market, especially through an unknown source, increases risk of drug poisoning.
This is contrary to a belief held among some police officers that seizing drugs would prevent harms, including drug poisoning.

The role of police in the toxic drug crisis

A broader question is: Are there any circumstances where police drug seizures are beneficial in preventing drug poisoning?
A recent study from the United States highlighted that police efforts to reduce the unregulated drug supply may worsen the drug toxicity crisis by showing a consistent pattern.
Several scholars noted that police drug seizures would not address the toxic drug supply, that the narrow mission of police may exacerbate drug-related harms and that more harm reduction interventions to address the toxic drug supply are needed.
The annual International Overdose Awareness Day compels us to reckon with ongoing toxic drug deaths and what we can do to reverse this worsening crisis.

Older people who are homeless need better access to hospice and palliative care

Retrieved on:

Thursday, May 11, 2023

However, it’s an unfortunate fact that the entry point into experiences or conversations around death and end-of-life care can happen abruptly.

Key Points:

However, it’s an unfortunate fact that the entry point into experiences or conversations around death and end-of-life care can happen abruptly.
For these older adults, intersectional and compounding experiences of oppression, such as poverty, racial disparities and ageism, create barriers to accessing hospice care.

Misconceptions about hospice care

Currently only 16 to 30 per cent of Canadians have access to hospice and palliative care services, and 34 per cent of Canadians are not clear on who is eligible or who should utilize hospice services.
In response, May 7-13 marks National Hospice Palliative Care week, which is aimed at increasing awareness about hospice care in Canada.
The misconceptions about hospice care have had a direct impact on the engagement of services for the public, but also for Indigenous communities and for older adults experiencing homelessness.

End-of-life care

Palliative care can be a valuable form of health care for older people experiencing homelessness, as it can offer a tailored approach to managing multiple chronic or terminal illnesses, which are prevalent among unhoused older people.
Palliative care that takes place in a hospital setting can decrease end-of-life care costs by nearly 50 per cent by reducing intensive care unit admissions and unnecessary intervention procedures.
We believe it is valuable to consider that if end-of-life care costs were reduced by using palliative care practices, the cost savings could be used to fund services that directly support unhoused older adults, such as increased affordable housing options.

Aging in the right place

As members of the Aging in the Right Place project research team at Simon Fraser University, we are working to better understand what aging and dying in the right place means to unhoused older adults in two sites providing end-of-life care in Vancouver.
May’s Place Hospice, which is in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, provides end-of-life care for community members in that part of the city.
May’s Place has created a communal, home-like environment with private rooms, meals provided three times a day, 24-hour nursing care, a smoking lounge and family gathering space.
The Aging in the Right Place project captures the perspectives and lived experiences of older people experiencing homelessness through integrating photovoice interview research methods as well as data collection methods that focused on the hospice setting, the neighbourhood, and experiences of staff who work to support unhoused older people.
Innovative and culturally sensitive services such as these, are a step in the right direction to providing better end-of-life care to older adults experiencing homelessness.

Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. Acquires First Storage Facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Retrieved on:

Friday, May 5, 2023

Commercial Building & Real Estate, Construction & Property, REIT, Franklin Street, SST, Transport, Acquisition, Grandview–Woodland, Downtown Eastside, Self storage

Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. (“SST VI”), a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”), announced today the acquisition of its first self-storage property in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Key Points:

Strategic Storage Trust VI, Inc. (“SST VI”), a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust sponsored by an affiliate of SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. (“SmartStop”), announced today the acquisition of its first self-storage property in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
When fully built out, the facility will be approximately 60,500 net rentable square feet and will include approximately 890 climate-controlled units.
As a result, the demand for self storage is high,” said H. Michael Schwartz, CEO and President of SST VI.
The facility will be branded under the SmartStop Self Storage umbrella, which owns or manages 26 self-storage properties throughout Canada.

Government of Canada funds projects for low-income adults focused on financial well-being

Retrieved on:

Monday, August 15, 2022

The SDPP Children and Families Component provides funding for socially innovative projects that maximize outcomes and community impact through partnerships and social innovation.

Key Points:

The SDPP Children and Families Component provides funding for socially innovative projects that maximize outcomes and community impact through partnerships and social innovation.
This project proposes to develop and carry out financial empowerment services and supports to improve the financial well-being of low-income communities that are racialized, newcomer women and seniors.
This project proposes to provide financial empowerment activities and services to improve various aspects of the financial well-being of low-income Canadians.
This project proposes to increase community capacity to help low-income francophone seniors in terms of financial empowerment, such as financial assistance, retirement planning and an understanding of governmental assistance systems.

Lower vaccination rates among people who use drugs could lead to serious outcomes from COVID-19

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Researchers recruited 275 people who use drugs and saw them once every two months for a study visit.

Key Points:

Researchers recruited 275 people who use drugs and saw them once every two months for a study visit.
In comparison, as of February 2022 vaccination rates in BCs general population were 81.1% fully vaccinated, 45.1% had received a booster dose, and 14% remained unvaccinated.
In addition, many people who use drugs face multiple overlapping barriers to accessing healthcare, such as stigma, discrimination, and criminalization.
The CITF is overseen by a Leadership Group of volunteers that includes leading scientists and policymakers from across Canada.

ZF North America, Inc. enhances clean energy initiatives with enrollment in DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Articles, Michigan, DTE Energy, DTE Electric Company, DTE, Renewable energy, States of the United States, Downtown Eastside, Data terminal equipment

Detroit, July 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) and ZF North America, Inc. , one of the worlds leading automotive suppliers, today announced ZF North Americas enrollment in DTEs MIGreenPower program .

Key Points:

Detroit, July 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) and ZF North America, Inc. , one of the worlds leading automotive suppliers, today announced ZF North Americas enrollment in DTEs MIGreenPower program .
MIGreenPower is a voluntary renewable energy program thatenablesDTE Electric customers to attribute agreaterpercentage of their electricity use to DTEs wind and solar projectsbeyond the 15%already included in customers energy mix.ZF North America has committed to a 10-year, escalatingMIGreenPowercontractwith the companyattributing100%ofits usage torenewable energy by2030.
ZF North America joins severalMetro Detroit-based automotive companies who are now using MIGreenPower to help meet their sustainability targets, said Brian Calka, director, Renewable Solutions for DTE Energy.
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE )isa Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.

Automotive Hall of Fame embraces clean energy future with DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

DTE Energy, DTE, Data terminal equipment, Downtown Eastside, Economy of the United States, Energy in the United States, States of the United States

Detroit, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DTE Energy and the Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF) today announced the museums enrollment in DTE Energys MIGreenPower program.

Key Points:

Detroit, June 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DTE Energy and the Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF) today announced the museums enrollment in DTE Energys MIGreenPower program.
The first museum to enroll in DTEs MIGreenPower program, the AHF will attribute 100% of its energy use to Michigan wind and solar projects.
While the Automotive Hall of Fame celebrates our industrys past, we also showcase its future, said Ramzi Hermiz, chairman of the Automotive Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is aDetroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.

DTE’s Energy Efficiency Assistance Program Helps 5,000 Customers in Need in 2020, Reducing Bills While Saving Energy

Retrieved on:

Thursday, April 1, 2021

DTE Energy, Downtown Eastside, Energy, Canada, Economy of the United States

DETROIT, April 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DTE Energy helped approximately 5,000 vulnerable customers lower their energy bills in 2020 while significantly reducing natural gas and electricity usage.

Key Points:

DETROIT, April 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DTE Energy helped approximately 5,000 vulnerable customers lower their energy bills in 2020 while significantly reducing natural gas and electricity usage.
Now the program that delivered these results, DTEs Energy Efficiency Assistance (EEA), has earned an award from the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) recognizing its efforts to keep energy affordable for thousands of the companys most in-need customers.
The EEA program served approximately 4,700 limited income customers in 2019 and another 5,000 in 2020.
The program achieved over 50,000 MCF net gas savings and 75,000 MWH in net electric savings in 2020 alone.

Statement by Minister Bennett on the 30th Anniversary of the Women's Memorial March

Retrieved on:

Sunday, February 14, 2021

Downtown Eastside, Poverty in Canada, Chicago and North Western Transportation Company, Women's Memorial March, Canada, Rail transportation in the United States, BRITISH COLUMBIA

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 14, 2021 /CNW/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, issued the following statement today:

Key Points:

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 14, 2021 /CNW/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, issued the following statement today:
"On February 14thwe remember the mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunties, and friends who are no longer with us.
Our hearts are with the families, survivors and communities as they share their stories and come together to support one another.
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Women's Memorial March thatstarted in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to commemorate the loss of Indigenous women and girls.
The March has grown over the years to include communities across Canada to draw attention to the need for action.