South Van encampment granted extension before eviction: activists

People living at an encampment in South Vancouver have been given two more days before they need to clear out of the area, activists say.

According to StopTheSweeps, the extension was granted after the group, residents, and other housing advocates “spent days asking” for more time.

The additional time is being described as “a win for residents.”

Residents of the encampment, which sits on land owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure along Oak Street and SW Marine Drive, were served eviction notices last month.

The ministry previously said notices were issued on Jan. 22, with the notice period ending on Wednesday, Jan. 31. However, the Marpole Mutual Aid Network claims people were unaware of the eviction.

Prior to word of the extension, StopTheSweeps organizer Ryan Sudds told The Leader Spirit the effort to enforce a trespass notice to residents of the encampment is not what they’ve come to expect from the province.

He said what’s needed is patience and care.

“Start treating people better. Stop taking their tents. It should not require this much work and this much effort to get a provincial government that says they care about unhoused people to care about unhoused people. It is time that these types of displacements stop,” he said.

“This housing crisis was not caused by unhoused people and it’s time to stop punishing unhoused people for existing and for this housing crisis.”

Justin, who says he has lived at the encampment for several months, tells The Leader Spirit it’s the safest he’s felt on the streets.

He says short-term shelter has been offered but that’s not a solution for him and others.

“It’s a little jarring and I didn’t know what to do. So I still don’t know what we’re waiting to hear,” he said earlier Friday. “I have stuff, so what do I do with my stuff? I don’t necessarily have the means, I can’t bring it all with me.”

-With files from Monika Gul