East Vancouver RV encampment gets final eviction warning from City

VANCOUVER (CityNews) — People living in their RVs in East Vancouver have been told by the City they have one week to clear out. But the two dozen people who call the makeshift camp home say they don’t have anywhere to go.

The deadline to leave the site at Slocan Street and East 12th Avenue is May 26, with final warnings being posted on windshields.

Where are they supposed to go? That’s the question on the minds of at least two dozen people living at a makeshift RV camp in #EastVancouver, as the city tells them in 1 week they need to be gone. @CityNewsVAN @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/iZc4xKZixI

— Ashley Burr (@AshleyBurr_) May 19, 2021

Glen Radeoete began living in his RV at the camp in November when his father passed away and he had nowhere else to go.

He’s at a loss for what to do next.

“I mean they don’t have any understanding whatsoever they just want you gone and that’s it,” he says.

“I’m in bad enough of condition.”

For years, the area has drawn people living in their vehicles looking for a place to park. But in Vancouver, parking RVs overnight on city streets is prohibited.

Taryn Scollard is Vancouver’s director of streets, she says the city began reaching out to people earlier this year to let them know enforcement will be coming.

“For people who are struggling to find a place to go, we have engaged our Carnegie outreach services. Not only is their contact info on all of the warning letters we have sent, they have been to the site twice to connect with RV occupants to help them with additional services,” she says.

Radeote says the services offered aren’t solving the most pressing issue — access to housing.

“I went down there to talk to them about services but it takes years to get on the BC Housing or whatever, and for the price of it — I’m on disability, so the who disability cheque would go towards rent. What are you supposed to live on?'”

Kati Fitzpatrick, who lives across the street, agrees. She hopes the city will reconsider the eviction.

“I think there is not enough affordable housing in the city. I don’t know what other affordable options there are for them to move to. Living in the neighbourhood, it doesn’t bother me that they are here.”

Scollard says the city will tow RVs for free anywhere in the Lower Mainland, as long as the owner has a legal spot to park it. They’re also offering to store the RVs for a month while the owners look for somewhere to live.

“We won’t go”
Residents at the RV camp on Slocan ave have planned a rally on May 26 to protest the eviction, the same day the @CityofVancouver has told them they need to be gone by. @CityNewsVAN @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/0ybwNfgyvH

— Ashley Burr (@AshleyBurr_) May 19, 2021

Todd Sallomi has lived in his RV for six months, and says despite the threat of tickets or being towed he doesn’t plan on going anywhere.

“I think for one thing I will sit in and eventually they have to leave. They can ticket but I don’t want to lose it, I don’t want to be towed.”

Residents at the RV camp on Slocan have planned a rally to protest the eviction. It’s set for the same day the city has told them they need to leave.