No end in sight to Vancouver’s CRAB Park tent city
Global News
A couple dozen tents remain at CRAB Park, with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board continuing to provide services to residents, including power.
Almost two years after it was established, the encampment at Vancouver’s CRAB Park is not going anywhere, although many residents have moved out.
Kevin Strome, who was among the first to pitch a tent in the Downtown Eastside park, said he worked with Carnegie Community Centre outreach staff to find supportive housing last fall.
“I didn’t want to live outside forever,” Strome told Global News Monday.
“The winter was pretty cold so I was like there’s no way I’m spending another winter here.”
A couple dozen tents remain with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Park Board continuing to provide services to residents, including power.
B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said the province provided $715,000 to the Union of BC Municipalities, and the funding was recently given to the city, which plans to spend it exclusively on CRAB Park.
Coun. Peter Meiszner with ABC Vancouver said $660,000 will fund four temporary full-time park rangers while the remaining $55,000 will pay for health and sanitation – including washroom cleaning, garbage disposal and Vancouver Police Department support for cleanup work.
The grant, according to the ABC Vancouver majority council, is for cost recovery, or to help offset money the city has already spent on CRAB Park.