Downtown Eastside Residents Association
Encyclopedia
The Downtown Eastside Residents Association (DERA) is a non-profit Society in the Downtown Eastside
area of Vancouver
.
The association was founded in 1973 by Bruce Eriksen
, Libby Davies
, Jean Swanson
and other residents of the Downtown Eastside and membership is restricted to those who live within the neighbourhood's boundaries. The association's original aims are outlined in its Mission Statement
The group has most recently been 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. The Association has close ties with the Anti-Poverty Committee
, with many APC members having worked for the DERA, and live in DERA subsidized housing.
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. Since the suit, the three government-owned social housing buildings were handed over to a court-appointed receiver, and a undisclosed settlement was reached between the DERA and BC Housing. BC Housing is now planning to issue a proposal call in the summer of 2010 to find nonprofit housing societies to manage the buildings in the long term. Former supporters of the DERA, such as Jim Green , a former Vancouver city councillor who led DERA in the 1980s, state this settlement likely means the end of the DERA as a housing provider for the poor.
Downtown Eastside
The Downtown Eastside is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is known as "Canada's poorest postal code"....
area of Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
.
The association was founded in 1973 by Bruce Eriksen
Bruce Eriksen
Bruce Eriksen was an artist, social activist and founder of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside Residents Association . Eriksen and DERA are recognised for materially improving the lives of residents in the Downtown Eastside .-Childhood and youth:Bruce Eriksen was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a child of...
, Libby Davies
Libby Davies
Libby Davies is a Canadian Member of Parliament for the New Democratic Party , representing the riding of Vancouver East in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2007, she was named Deputy Leader of the federal NDP, jointly with Thomas Mulcair.-Background:Davies was born in Aldershot, England and...
, Jean Swanson
Jean Swanson
Jean Swanson is an anti-poverty activist living and working in Vancouver, British Columbia.Jean Swanson is a coordinator of Carnegie Community Action Project , an organization dedicated to the welfare of the Downtown Eastside, one of Canada's poorest neighbourhoods...
and other residents of the Downtown Eastside and membership is restricted to those who live within the neighbourhood's boundaries. The association's original aims are outlined in its Mission Statement
The group has most recently been actively involved with opposition to the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
, and was accused of possessing the Olympic Flag stolen from Vancouver City Hall
Vancouver City Hall
Vancouver City Hall is home to Vancouver City Council in Vancouver, British Columbia. Located at 453 West 12th Avenue, the building was ordered by the Vancouver Civic Building Committee, designed by architect Fred Townley and Matheson, and built by Carter, Halls, Aldinger and Company...
on March 16, 2007. The Association has close ties with the Anti-Poverty Committee
Anti-Poverty Committee
The Anti-Poverty Committee was a left-wing anarchist organisation based in Vancouver, British Columbia that campaigned against poverty and homelessness....
, with many APC members having worked for the DERA, and live in DERA subsidized housing.
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. Since the suit, the three government-owned social housing buildings were handed over to a court-appointed receiver, and a undisclosed settlement was reached between the DERA and BC Housing. BC Housing is now planning to issue a proposal call in the summer of 2010 to find nonprofit housing societies to manage the buildings in the long term. Former supporters of the DERA, such as Jim Green , a former Vancouver city councillor who led DERA in the 1980s, state this settlement likely means the end of the DERA as a housing provider for the poor.