The Hook

Main intersections in the Downtown Vancouver area were shut down today as thousands of people marched in protest at the lack of affordable housing and housing for homeless people.

The Grand March for Housing put on by the City Wide Housing Coalition invited groups and organizations from across the province to march from three different start points to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The march was to show all levels of government the need in this province for better housing for those who face homelessness.

Intersections at East Hastings and Main and Burrard and West Georgia were shut down to allow an estimated 5000 people through the streets of Downtown Vancouver.

“This says there is a problem with the plans that the provincial government and the senior governments have,” said Wendy Pedersen, a member of the Carnegie Community Action Project.”

“This sends a clear message the status quo is not working, that we need a dramatic plan to end homelessness and the affordable housing crisis and everybody knows it.”

The massive march consisted of homeless people from the downtown community, members of advocacy groups and other supporters.

"It’s wonderful to see so many people turn out and I think it's sending a really strong message that we need housing now,” said David Eby, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. “It’s very straight forward.”

Members of the community also expressed their concerns about the lack of quality affordable housing. “We need homes,” said Douglas Geib, Downtown Eastside resident.

“I live down on the eastside here and I live in a hell hole, I pay 360 dollars a month for a room where I got no running water, it’s just ridiculous,” Geib said.

When asked if this march was going to get the government moving on housing issues he replied, “They’re just going to leave it the way it is, and it’s just going to get worse.”

Vancouver Police Department (VPD) had a presence of roughly 15 officers on bicycles and motorcycles, but didn't have any intentions of interference.

“We’re just to here to make sure traffic is moving safely,” said Constable Phil Wiebe, of the VPD.

The march was peaceful, but water bottles and insults were hurled at a man driving a Land Rover who tried to drive on the street while the march was taking place.

Morgan J. Modjeski is a reporter for The Hook.