Downtown Eastside residents want fewer condominiums and more social housing in their neighbourhood, according to a survey of 1,200 people on how they would improve the area.
They want the mayor to purchase five lots a year for social housing over the next 10 years, say organizers of the study Assets to Action.
Wendy Pederson, of the Carnegie Community Action Project, said that only 12 per cent of privately owned SRO hotel rooms are renting for the welfare shelter allowance or less.
“We have to push them hard to save the land on the East Side for low-income people,” Pederson said.
“Otherwise our community assets will be wiped out.”
She added residents are helping improve the area by starting a street market and are working on expanding free wireless access.
