Vancouver Agreement

While other parts of the city are also targeted by the initiative, its Downtown Eastside area is notorious across Canada for its deep problems with poverty, substance abuse, prostitution, violent crime and homelessness, and the agreement’s stated goals include promoting the health, safety and economic and social well being of the neighbourhood.

The initiative's programs aimed at public safety include the Enhanced Enforcement Initiative, which co-ordinates efforts between the Vancouver Police Department, the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada to target businesses that either have ties to organized crime or exploit individuals who are vulnerable due to mental illness or addiction.

The Carrall Street Greenway, built between Gastown and Chinatown, was meant to deter crime by creating a more open and attractive space.

The initiative's policy is to find ways of improving the quality of housing without making it inaccessible to the low-income residents who have traditionally been attracted to the DTES for low rents.

The repurposed Woodward's building, which will include 200 units of social housing alongside market-price condos and commercial office and retail space, is another Vancouver Agreement project.