The association was founded by Bruce Eriksen, Libby Davies, Jean Swanson, University of Victoria professor Calvin Sandborn [1] and other residents of the Downtown Eastside.
The association's original aims are outlined in its Mission Statement.
The group was actively involved with opposition to the 2010 Winter Olympics, and was accused of possessing the Olympic Flag stolen from Vancouver City Hall on March 16, 2007.
[3] In March 2010, the association was accused of mishandling public money, and failing to pay $500,000 in property taxes and rents from three government-owned social housing buildings that they manage.
[4] BC Housing issued a proposal call in the summer of 2010 to find nonprofit housing societies to manage the buildings in the long term.