The Editor,
Re. "Radia: Maximize good in Van's DTES" (Face to Face, The Tri-City News, July 18).
Like others, Andy Radia's thoughts regarding the Downtown East Side gentrification debate lack context. The columnist sees the issue as nothing more than developers and restaurant owners pitted against anti-capitalism activists - a common viewpoint.
Things are not so simple or black and white.
Missing from Mr. Radia's argument is the discussion about affordable housing on the DTES. Both the provincial government and city of Vancouver have committed to build more affordable housing in the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, their actions have not kept pace with their promises and deadlines.
Without these affordable housing units, people with nowhere to go are currently being displaced as a result of gentrification. It is only because this housing stock has not kept up to targeted levels that development and capitalism have become bad words.
As for the columnist's idea of homeless and low-income individuals moving to the suburbs to take advantage of cheaper rent, it is also a simple notion.
Much-needed services, housing and shelters have established themselves in the DTES neighbourhood over the last 40 years as the demand has grown. Aside from Vancouver, New Westminster and the North Shore, many of those services and facilities do not exist in adequate supply in other Metro Vancouver cities. This is mostly the result of city councils and residents erecting roadblocks, even though these resources are needed in the community.
Michael McQuillan, Communications Manager, Lookout Emergency Aid Society