_{^{Archive: Actions '08 .}}

_{^{Archive: Actions '07 .}}

CHC E-Mail Addresses Now Working - No more Bouncing

It’s been a bit of a technical struggle, but the CHC bulletins and email are finally back on track. Many of you may have emailed us only to have your email bounce. We now offer two ways to communicate:

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If you no longer wish to receive CHC bulletins, just send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Breaking Ground On One of the 14 Sites

After nine years, the Portland Hotel Society has finally started construction on a supportive housing project that was first approved by the NDP government in 2000, only to be cancelled in 2001, by the Campbell Liberals. The Portland Hotel Society’s new project will be located at 1005 Station Street. It will have retail space facing Main Street and provide 80 self-contained homes for people who were homeless or living in Downtown Eastside hotels.

Little Mountain Housing Waste Continues - No Demolition Permit Yet

Meanwhile, Minister Coleman insists funding for more of the supportive housing units is dependent on the sale of Little Mountain Housing Complex.

So what is happening with the 252 empty homes at Little Mountain? According to City staff, as of September 10 2009, no demolition permit had been issued.

Federal Election Repeat? What Should We Do Differently?

BC Homeless Action Week: October 11 to 17

Find out about events during Homeless Action Week and add your voice to the demand for a national housing strategy at the Regional Steering Committee On Homelessness’s website.

If you have any other ideas on how Citywide Housing Coalition can make affordable housing and homelessness a federal election issue, please send them to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

CHC at UBCM?

^{Pressure on the UBCM Can Only Help}

The Union of BC Municipalities starts its annual get-together on Monday September 28. The City of Vancouver has prepared a resolution urging both the provincial and federal government to develop a National Affordable Housing Strategy and meet the housing needs of British Columbians. (To find the Vancouver resolution on the above hyper-link, select: Convention Documents, in the bottom left hand corner, then: 2009 Documents/Presentation then: Resolutions and you’ll find it hidden on page 153 of Section C).

Meanwhile, the UBCM doesn’t even rate Housing as a featured policy topic, unlike “Marijuana Grow-Ops” and “RCMP Contract Discussions”. At the 2007 UBCM convention Citywide Housing Coalition and Carnegie Community Action Project staged a well-attended march and rally. Stay tuned for a possible Citywide Housing Coalition action at this year’s UBCM.

Keeping Tabs On the Media

^{Get on Rolf’s List!}

Rolf Auer, a member of Citywide Housing Coalition and a prolific published letter writer, archives media articles and letters concerning housing and poverty issues. Each week, he e-mails the top stories and letters. To receive Rolf’s emails contact him at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Urgent Action to Support Renovating and re-using Social Housing at Little Mountain

Please read Tom Sandborn's article in the Vancouver Courier, Mayor Open to Reoccupying Little Mountain and then take a few minutes to email or call BC Housing Minister, Rich Coleman, BC Housing and Vancouver's Mayor and City Council to express your strong support for the renovate and re-use option at Little Mountain. Ellen Woodsworth and the community activists have been out in the lead opposing the demolition. Please add your voice to support them today, and circulate this action call widely.

Mayor and council, Vancouver: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

BC Housing Minister Rich Coleman: http://www.gov.bc.ca/hsd/feed/minister_feed.html

BC Housing Regional Director Dale McMann: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

New Editor for Citywide Housing Coalition Bulletins

More

Fight NIMBYism: Complete City's Yaletown Shelter Survey before the province shuts it down

In June, a few Yaletown residents managed to shut down a 36-bed shelter under Granville Bridge and are now trying to shut down the Howe Street.

More

Last Rites for Little Mountain Premature?

On June 1, the 13 households remaining on site received a letter from Vancouver Coastal Region Director Dale McMann saying that BC Housing had applied for a demolition permit. On July 20 Citywide Housing coalition checked with Vancouver City Development Inquries and no such application had been made.

Citywide Housing Coalition to Join Metro Vancouver Alliance

CHC is about to join an “Organization of Organizations” based on the Industrial Areas Foundation, a model of community organizing developed by the late Saul Alinsky. Find more information at: (MVA 2 page pdf) Ultimately we will need to contribute funds to this growing group of faith, labour and community organizations, but for now we need to at support their formation.

Ignatieff Apologizes for Liberal Housing Cuts & CHC Sings

For the last two federal elections, CHC has tried to make federally funded housing programs (or the lack thereof) an issue.

Jane’s Walk 2009 – Vision for the Downtown Eastside

Sunday, May 3 from 1-2:30 p.m. Meet on the front steps of the Carnegie Centre, 401 Main Street (at Hastings). Learn more about housing and other neighbourhood issues from a perspective that includes many low-income people. Poetry from famous poets too.

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Condos Cause Homelessness in the Downtown Eastside

Up to 16 new towers could be built in the DTES historic area.

Read the city’s info

Read ccap’s info

Provincial All Candidates Meeting (May 3)

Sunday, May 3 from 1-3 p.m. Coast Plaza Hotel (Denman Mall, West End Vancouver)
Steve Burgess (columnist) will moderate.

WERA Info: 604-716-2824

Next Province-Wide Stands (May 2 and June 6)

Saturdays from 1-2 p.m. May 2 and June 6. The Community Advocates for Little Mountain and the CHC are organizing Stands for Housing around the province. See attachment to get a Stand Kit or join a regular Stand group nearby. Lets cover all the main intersections!

We are selling the Premier’s house. Really. (Apr 26)

^{Sunday, April 26, 2009 1:00 p.m. at Little Mountain Social Housing – East 33rd & Quebec St}

More info: www.my-calm.info [POSTER]

Candlelight Vigil to end Homelessness

^{Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Meet at Robson and Beatty St. Finish: Vancouver Art Gallery at Hornby & Georgia St.}

^{Join hundreds of other youth in this candlelight march to Extinguish Homelessness}

^{[POSTER see attached]}

Reel Justice:

Exploring Homelessness in Vancouver through Film

Sunday April 19, 2009 at SFU Harbour Centre - 515 West Hastings St (at Seymour) Doors: 11:30 am - SFU and Pivot have teamed up to host Reel Justice, a one-day film festival exploring homelessness and connected issues through Vancouver-based films and research. Reel Justice will feature 19 films, a day-long Social Change Expo, filmmakers, academics, advocates and more! We hope you can join us.

Film program and schedule at: www.pivotlegal.org

GRAND MARCH for HOUSING '09

The Grand March Steering Committee thanks you for your support, participation and help in Citywide Housing Coalition’s Grand March for Housing.

Save Our Homes Day at Vancouver City Council (Mar 3)

_{^{On Tuesday morning, March 3, Council will debate a motion that will dictate their future policy on affordable housing. We need to be more powerful than the developers who have lobbied hard for the protection of private property rights. We are in a crisis state and need a moratorium on any more rental housing loss. There is no place to go.}}

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Start a Stand for Housing with Your Family or Friends

The Community Advocates for Little Mountain and the CHC are organizing Stands for Housing around the province. See attachment to get a Stand Kit or join a regular Stand group nearby. Lets cover all the main intersections!

[Get a Kit Join a Stand]

CHC Organizers – Newsmakers of the Year

^{Its risky to credit individuals for what amounts to collective achievements, but scroll through this article to read about efforts of CHC organizers like Dave Diewert, Brent Granby and Wendy Pedersen.}

^{[Vancouver Courier]}

Public Forum on Homelessness (Jan 14)

^{Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 9-12 pm
The goal of this forum is to send a strong message to the Federal Government to implement a national housing program. Hosted by MPs Libby Davies, Hedy Fry and Don Davies.}

^{[Speakers and agenda]}

Grand March for Housing – Community Meeting (Jan 14)

^{Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009 7-8:30 pm
Meet at the Carnegie Centre Theatre, 401 Main Street for this meeting to prepare for the April 4, 2009 March for a provincial social housing program.
For more info contact Wendy Pedersen (604-839-0379)}

^{[Grand March leaflet]}

Hunger Strike for a Federal Housing Program

^{Starts this week with Am Johal.
The 2010 Homelessness Hunger Strike Relay will have a new volunteer carry on a hunger strike each week leading up to the 2010 Winter Games in order to demand the federal government to re-establish a national housing program. Stay tuned for press conference.}

^{Contact Am Johal to volunteer (778-895-5640)}

STAND for Housing (Jan 24)

^{Saturday, Jan 24, 2009 1-2 pm
Little Mountain advocates and CHC are organizing these STANDs around the Province to lead up to the Grand march in April. Its easy, quick and fun.}

^{Get a Kit Join a STAND]}

Recently Published Letters to Editor by CHC Organizers

^{If you want to get articles daily about housing and homelessness just let us know and you can join the letter writing club. Lets take up space with our point of view. One organizer just had his 29th letter published!}

^{[read some letters]}