Downtown Eastside
Finding warmth in the cold with the Ayx Bus
January 12, 2026By: Maya Barillas Mohan, Staff Writer For some living in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), the warmth associated with the holidays is not a reality. The Ayx Community Bus, a grassroots initiative spearheaded by advocate Fiona York, attempts to lessen the loneliness and aid those who are unhoused and precariously housed. Encompassing the range of seasons and needs, the Ayx Bus serves as a cooling centre in the summer, and later in the year, provides warm clothing and hot drinks. This past December 24 and 25, care packages were delivered in the DTES from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The Ayx…
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Calls emerge for increased program funding for BC sex workers
January 5, 2026By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer On December 16, 2025, 10 organizations — including sex worker-led groups, feminist organizations, and First Nations groups — released a statement marking the International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers. In their statement, the…
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Community-Engaged Research Initiative celebrates fifth anniversary
January 5, 2026By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer SFU’s Community-Engaged Research Initiative (CERi) marks its five-year anniversary of “community-driven research.” The organization focuses on “the capacity of SFU’s researchers and students to engage respectfully and ethically with community organizations, Indigenous Nations, community members,…
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Changes to supportive housing in Vancouver
July 21, 2025By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer In Vancouver, the supportive housing saga continues to develop. On July 3, mayor Ken Sim announced that his office has identified five unnamed potential city-owned locations for new supportive housing. This statement comes as the…
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Vancouver Police’s Task Force Barrage draws controversy from the community
July 8, 2025By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer A new initiative aimed at stopping crime on the Downtown Eastside (DTES) adds another layer to conversations about the Vancouver Police Department’s (VPD) purpose and policy. In February, the VPD and Vancouver mayor Ken Sim…
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Police presence outside Downtown Eastside harm reduction sites sparks concerns
May 28, 2025By: Zainab Salam, Staff Writer and Hannah Fraser, News Editor Healthcare workers and patrons in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) are voicing concerns that the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is “deterring access to harm reduction sites.” Harm reduction is an “evidence-based…
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Local advocate talks dispelling drug stigma
September 12, 2023By: Olivia Sherman, News Writer For Nicole Luongo, substances like alcohol and heroin are only separated by the thin line of what society deems moral or legal. Luongo is a systems change coordinator for the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC),…
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A poetic homage to Strathcona’s heritage and history
October 11, 2022By: Petra Chase, Arts & Culture Editor Editor’s Note: This article was updated on November 9, 2022 to include information about the second stage of the City Poems Contest. The previous version of this article omitted this information. On October…
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Displacing houseless people isn’t a solution, it’s violence
October 10, 2022By: C Icart, Staff Writer It’s been over two months since Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services ordered all tents in Hastings Tent City be removed. Since then, increased efforts for forced decampment have been taking place in the Downtown Eastside. Street…
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Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre increases safe spaces for women
May 10, 2021Written by: Jaymee Salisi, News Writer The COVID-19 pandemic has limited women’s access to shelter and increased their potential for abuse. Further, physical distancing to reduce COVID-19 transmission has led to isolation and restricted support for victims of abuse. As…
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