21 tenants to be evicted from transitional housing in Vancouver
CBC
When Elaine Lin moved to the Easter Seals House's second floor in March, she knew her stay would be temporary.
While residents were informed in January that they would need to find other accommodations, Lin said her placement as part of her recovery in the 21-unit transitional housing project on the second floor of 3981 Oak St. came with the promise of support while she looked for another home and launched her first business.
Now, four months later, the 23-year-old said she is afraid she'll be homeless by next month.
"It's a lot of instability. I have no idea where I'm going," Lin said. "It's very hard to see my life past July 31."
Easter Seals House provides low-cost accommodation for families coming to Vancouver for medical treatment and respite for parents and families needing a place to stay.
In 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and with B.C. Housing's support, its second floor was leased to Coast Mental Health, a non-profit that helps people with mental health challenges find housing, employment and education.
Coast Mental Health used the space to provide residents with temporary transitional housing and access to supportive care for a range of mental and physical disabilities.
Since then, the agencies have renewed their lease year-over-year — until now.
On July 31, Lin and the other residents will have to find other accommodations when the project's lease ends.
Coast Mental Health deferred to B.C. Housing for comment.
Sarah Goldvine, a spokesperson for B.C. Housing, said internally, the agency considers the units transitional housing with support services.
"It was always meant to be temporary," she said.
When CBC News asked why the lease was ending, Goldvine did not provide an answer.
In January, Coast Mental Health sent tenants a letter about its lease ending.
