A map of the Downtown Eastside created with help from area residents features the neighbourhood’s positive attractions in an effort to counter negative stereotypes.
Colleen Boudreau, a DTES resident, contributed to the initiative organized by the Carnegie Community Action Project. She placed her own housing society on the map as a positive.
“Down here the main thing is the housing. And down here, women are more at risk,” she said.
Boudreau added she fears that the neighborhood that offers her affordable living will be demolished in favour of expensive condos.
“Many families will not be able to afford the kinds of services and shops that would be down here.”
CCAP co-ordinator Wendy Pedersen said she wants city council to keep the DTES as a low income-community.
“We are going to use the map as evidence to prove that there are good things in the neighbourhood that are worth preserving,” she said.
The CCAP will be lobbying the city to keep pricey condos and shops out, while investing money in low-budget social housing.
