City hall, BC gov’t looks to shut down notorious DTES hotel
Posted June 20, 2018 11:20 am.
Last Updated June 20, 2018 3:18 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The city of Vancouver and the provincial government are moving to shut down a notorious rundown SRO hotel on the Downtown Eastside.
The Regent Hotel, which is operated by the Sahota family, has more than 1,000 outstanding bylaw violations–445 of which are being prosecuted.
“Everyone deserves a healthy place to call home,” says Housing Minister Selina Robinson. “Getting those most in need into safe, supported homes is just one of the ways we’re tackling the housing crisis, and making life better for all British Columbians.”
Tenants are being moved from the building on East Hastings Street–deemed unsafe by the city due to decades of under-investment and mismanagement–to a new facility on Main Street. Everyone has to be out of the building by Jun. 28.
“After many years of deplorable negligence by the owners of the Regent Hotel, the City and Province must intervene for the safety and well-being of tenants,” explains Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.
“The city’s frequent safety inspections at the Regent resulted in over 1,000 outstanding bylaw violations, of which 445 were referred to prosecution. In the coming days and weeks, city staff will work closely with BC Housing, Vancouver Coastal Health, Atira, and RainCity to support people moving out of the Regent and into their new, safe homes at the Jubilee Rooms.”
The province has purchased a site there for just over $12 million.
Tenant says it’s too late
Some longtime tenants of Vancouver’s rundown Regent Hotel are rejecting the offer of homes in a new building because it doesn’t have an elevator.
One man says he can’t walk up three floors because he has mobility issues.
Jack Gates is one of about a dozen demonstrators who tried to disrupt a joint announcement by the province and City of Vancouver about plans to buy the Regent.
“There’s no elevator in this building and we have basically been told if we don’t take a room here, we’ll be out on the street anyway because they’re going to board up our doors and clear the building,” he says.
“I can’t climb up and down these stairs. I’m on disability for a reason–I have back problems and arthritis in my ankles.”
Gates has lived in the building for four years and says the announcement is abrupt.
“It comes as a real shock. We’ve got eight days to get out of the Regent. The city knew all about it and they did nothing to force the Sahota’s to maintain the building –allowed the Sahota’s to let the buildings run down.”
The City, however, says people like Gates will get the help they need as the move out of the building.
“There is safe and secure housing available for all of the tenants who will be moving out of the Regent. There are a range of options available for tenants, including accessible units for people with mobility issues, and the City will work with BC Housing and the tenants to ensure that everyone has accommodation that meets their needs,” the City says in an email to NEWS 1130.
