A police inspector, a business leader and the official opposition are linking what they say is an increase in serious crime in Vancouver's central Yaletown neighbourhood to new supportive housing in the area. Clarke acknowledged that crime has been down in recent months city-wide but believes violence has increased during that time. She wants to see more supports for people with addictions in the neighbourhood, a sentiment echoed by Annette O'Shea, executive director of the Yaletown Business Improvement Association. Housing recently purchased two hotels, the Howard Johnson at Granville and Davie streets and The Buchan on Haro Street in the West End, for supportive housing. Housing said its research found that when a new supportive housing facility opens, it takes a few months for residents to settle in before disturbances "decrease dramatically."

Source: CBC News July 04, 2020 05:03 UTC