Vancouver spending nearly $1 million everyday to tackle Downtown Eastside crisis, yet system is not working: Report

A14-month audit on social spending in the Downtown Eastside has revealed that approximately $1 million a day is spent directly on community and social issues in the Downtown Eastside. The findings are part of a study conducted by HelpSeeker Technologies. In spite of spending budget which is three times higher than Vancouver’s annual budget ($1.7 billion), according to the draft report, it does not function in the way that is beneficial to either stakeholders or the community at large. The report says, the budget amounts to approximately $2,100 per Vancouver resident, making Vancouver the city with the highest concentration of community and social services charities across all Canadian jurisdictions. “Despite more talk than ever, and more money than ever, life is now bleaker than ever for a growing number of people in places like the Downtown Eastside,” said Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer. According to the report a resident in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is now 32.3 per cent more likely to live with depression, and seven times more likely to live with schizophrenia or another delusional disorder, according to the report. (Read full story on Page 12)