Vancouver applies for injunction to remove 'Ten Year Tent City'

Vancouver is applying for an injunction to shut down a tent city sitting on a city-owned lot that, according to officials, will soon be the site of a social housing complex.

The camp was set up by homelessness advocates last month in response to the city's worsening housing crisis.

It was dubbed "Ten Year Ten City" in recognition of another encampment on the same empty plot of land in 2007.

On Monday, officials issued a statement saying the site at 950 Main Street had an "active development permit application" in the works.

A spokesperson said those plans include 26 units of social housing for Indigenous adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

"Soil testing and drilling is due to commence on this site later this month; however, none of this can occur while that site is occupied and these concerns have been relayed to the camp's leaders," the statement said.

The city added the complex is to be operated by the Lu'Ma Native Housing Society, which has secured funding for the project that could be "negatively impacted" by construction delays.

Bylaws broken

In April, officials issued a statement acknowledging affordable housing as a "critical challenge" but affirmed that residents of the camp were breaking the law.

The city said tenters were told to leave with their belongings and advised they could be forcibly removed, although they were not.

Organizers said they were going to stay put until they saw progress being made on the homelessness issue.

The city says B.C. Housing is working to find accommodation for campers who are in search of a place to stay.