Three public washrooms in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) have received funding to keep operating.
The City of Vancouver first set up the facilities through federal and provincial grants as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic and to serve a growing homeless population.
Over the past few weeks, community advocates had expressed fears that the restrooms would run out of funds and have to close this month.
On Wednesday, the City of Vancouver said it has found internal funding to maintain the restrooms at Oppenheimer Park and Pigeon Park. It told CBC News that the money comes from contingency funds and savings across city departments.
The announcement also says that the washroom at 144 East Hastings St. will continue with support from a community partner.
Sarah Blyth, executive director of the Overdose Prevention Society (OPS), said she is happy about the update.
Her organization operates the Pigeon Park and 144 East Hastings washrooms, which she says are open everyday and receive between 15,000 to 22,000 visits annually.
“It’s actually really a relief that we don’t have to continue to fight for basic public service,” she said. “It’s a win for the Downtown Eastside.”
She added that the public washrooms will also benefit visitors and businesses in the area.
Facilities still depend on temporary funding
But the new money is not permanent.
The city told CBC News that it costs around $27,500 per month to run the Pigeon Park washroom and $37,000 per month for the one at Oppenheimer Park. The new funding, it says, will maintain these facilities’ operations “for the foreseeable future.”
“City staff are actively exploring other dignified and durable washroom models that are better designed to meet the safety and accessibility needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and can be operated more affordably,” the statement said.
The City of Vancouver says two public restrooms could close later this month due to a lack of funding. Sarah Blyth with the Overdose Prevention Society and harm reduction advocate Guy Felicella both say they’re vital to residents of the area.
The city deferred questions about the Hastings Street facility to OPS.
According to Blyth, her group is still sorting out the details including whether there could be additional one-time funding from the province in order to continue operating the washroom.
But the support from the community partner, which she says doesn’t want to be named for now, will likely maintain it until the end of 2024.
The city previously told CBC News that it costs around $34,000 per month to run the Hastings Street washroom.
“With the extra time, we’re hoping that we can solidify some longer-term funding to make these crucial basic programs long term,” Blyth said.
In addition, the city announced that it is able to extend funding Project Hope — a street cleaning program in the DTES that employs people who face barriers to traditional employment — until the end of 2024. It is now exploring options for next year.
Not all public washrooms in the DTES have secured funding, however.
The city says it couldn’t find money for the Astoria Hotel washroom trailer and related services on East Hastings Street, which it says costs between $500,000 to $1,300,000 per year to run.
“The overdose prevention services funded through Vancouver Coastal Health and delivered through RainCity will continue,” the city said in its announcement. “Staff will work with operators and RainCity on a potential transfer of washroom trailer services and costs if they are able to secure external funding.”
CBC News has reached out to non-profit RainCity for comment.
Looking for long-term strategy
Peter Meiszner, a city councillor, previously told CBC News that these facilities are expensive to run because they need 24/7 attendants to avoid the risk of drug overdoses.
He also said city staff are working on a broader public washroom strategy, which is coming to council this fall.
On Wednesday, Blyth also emphasized the need to make these public washrooms permanent.
“What it comes down to is very basic public services, especially in the poorest postal code of Canada,” she said.
“If you don’t have washrooms, the outcomes will be more expensive, like picking up food in the alleyways by city workers or disease prevention.”