During the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia, Stephen Nelson experienced the rapid escalation of temperatures turning deadly firsthand. Living at the Keefer Rooms in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), Nelson recounted how his friend and neighbor, Mario, struggled with the intense heat. Mario, who had difficulty caring for himself, received assistance from Nelson and his girlfriend as temperatures rose. They ventilated Mario’s room, provided water, and monitored his well-being in Nelson’s room. Tragically, Nelson found Mario deceased in his room the next morning.
A coroner’s report disclosed that Mario succumbed during the heatwave due to a combination of extreme temperatures and underlying health issues. The report further indicated no other fatalities at the Keefer Rooms during that period. The Keefer Rooms, one of around 100 single-room occupancy buildings in Vancouver, lack cooling infrastructure and become dangerously hot during heatwaves, as highlighted by researchers from the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Climate Justice.
The extreme heat crisis claimed 619 lives, with 10% of fatalities occurring in social housing, including SROs, according to a B.C. Coroners Service panel report. In response to the crisis, SRO tenants and neighbors collaborated to monitor temperatures and implement safety measures during temperature spikes.
Wendy Pedersen established the Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society, which mobilizes tenant teams in various SRO buildings. These teams, including “H2O teams,” check on residents and distribute water during heatwaves. The organization facilitated the opening of cooling rooms in SRO buildings, with plans for additional rooms supported by Vancouver city council funding.
Roger Haskins, a tenant involved in temperature monitoring, highlighted the challenges faced by residents in accessing cooling solutions due to inadequate building electrical capacity. Heat physiologist Daniel Gagnon emphasized the heightened exposure of residents in poorly equipped buildings during heatwaves. Despite the shortcomings of SRO buildings, Pedersen stressed the need to preserve them as essential housing options for vulnerable populations.
In another SRO building, the Arlington, residents enhanced community bonds and safety measures during extreme heat by establishing cooling rooms. Funding from provincial and city authorities, along with charitable contributions, enabled the installation of cooling systems and shared facilities for tenants.
Pedersen acknowledged funding gaps in sustaining cooling initiatives and urged government support for electrical upgrades to enhance cooling options for tenants. Federal programs promoting building retrofitting and climate resilience were cited as potential sources of funding for SRO upgrades.
While recognizing the imperfections of SRO buildings, the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs emphasized the importance of supporting vulnerable residents in the DTES. The ministry highlighted grants to community organizations and new housing projects in the area, emphasizing the complex housing challenges in balancing short-term solutions with long-term housing goals.
Overall, the collaborative efforts within Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside underscore a community-driven approach to address challenges and support residents during extreme weather events. Residents like Stephen Nelson, now a tenant leader, emphasize the neighborhood’s resilience and the mutual care among its inhabitants.