In Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Single Room Occupancy buildings serve as a last-ditch option for thousands of low-income residents facing housing instability. These aged, small units provide crucial shelter for people who might otherwise be homeless. But as affordable as they are, SROs come with serious and, at times, life-threatening risks. Poor building maintenance, fire hazards, overcrowded rooms, and subpar facilities create an environment that endangers the lives of those who live in them. As Vancouver’s housing crisis persists, the safety and sustainability of SROs are under renewed scrutiny, with calls for better regulations, upgrades, and structural reforms growing louder.
SROs’ Outdated Infrastructure and Daily Dangers
Most SRO buildings in Vancouver date back to the early 20th century, with minimal renovation or maintenance over the years. Originally built as transient lodging, SROs were not designed to house people long-term. Today, the conditions reflect this lack of forethought, with significant structural issues and outdated facilities impacting residents daily. Many rooms are cramped, offering little more than a bed, a shared bathroom, and unreliable heating. Basic amenities like kitchens are often absent, leaving tenants dependent on hot plates or space heaters to prepare food, increasing the likelihood of fires.
The electrical wiring in these buildings is outdated and unsafe. Inadequate power systems mean frequent circuit overloads, with fuses blowing when residents plug in heating appliances or cooking devices. The lack of proper ventilation only adds to the fire risk, especially in rooms where multiple residents have personal heaters running simultaneously during winter. These environmental factors turn SRO buildings into potential fire traps, where a single mistake could lead to a devastating outcome. The structural degradation of SROs is more than an inconvenience—it’s a constant threat to safety that requires immediate attention and substantial investment in upgrades.
Fire Safety Deficits and the Reality of Unequal Protections
In more affluent parts of Vancouver, fire safety measures such as sprinklers, fire alarms, and routine safety checks are taken for granted. SRO buildings in the DTES, however, often lack even the most basic safety precautions. Many SROs do not have functional smoke detectors, let alone sprinkler systems. Even when alarms are installed, they are frequently disabled by residents or removed by building management, frustrated by false alarms triggered by cooking or heating equipment. This leaves residents dangerously unprotected in the event of a real fire, with fewer safety nets than their counterparts in other neighbourhoods.
Reports from firefighters and emergency responders illustrate the inherent risks of fire safety neglect. In many SROs, cluttered hallways and poorly marked exits make quick evacuations difficult. Tenants, particularly those with disabilities or mobility issues, struggle to navigate the maze-like structures in emergencies. Emergency lights, if present, are often dim or malfunctioning, and exits are blocked by residents’ belongings due to limited living space. Such conditions not only endanger the tenants but also create hazardous situations for first responders trying to carry out rescues.
The fire safety disparity between SROs and other buildings across Vancouver highlights an inequitable approach to public safety, where protections appear to be contingent upon socioeconomic status. There is a clear need for citywide safety standards that enforce fire protections in SROs, ensuring that all residents, regardless of where they live, are equally protected from preventable hazards.
The Mental Burden of Living with Constant Risk
The physical dangers of living in an SRO are accompanied by an equally pressing psychological toll. The awareness of constant risk, whether from fire or building collapse, affects the mental health of residents. Living in an environment where safety cannot be guaranteed generates chronic stress, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of instability. Residents report a profound lack of control over their surroundings, with little hope that their circumstances will improve. Many tenants liken their living quarters to holding cells—spaces they occupy but don’t feel connected to, where survival takes precedence over comfort or security.
This chronic insecurity exacerbates existing mental health issues, making it harder for residents to engage in productive daily activities or seek long-term solutions. Some residents have expressed feeling trapped, as the threat of eviction and homelessness looms constantly over them. The high turnover rate and transient nature of SRO housing contribute to social isolation, deepening the psychological impact. For those struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, the lack of stable, safe housing can become a significant barrier to accessing treatment and support.
SRO Ownership and the Challenges of Maintaining Affordable Housing
Since 2007, the British Columbia government has been actively acquiring and leasing SRO hotel buildings across the DTES and the rest of the city to preserve affordable housing options for low-income individuals and those at risk of homelessness. Today, Vancouver has approximately 146 SRO buildings offering around 6,567 rooms, each with varying levels of upkeep, management quality, and safety standards. While nearly half of these properties remain privately owned, 32% are owned by BC Housing, a Crown corporation, and 7% by the City of Vancouver. Non-profits hold ownership over 11% of the buildings, and 2% belong to the Chinese Benevolent Society.
Recognizing that SROs are inadequate in their current state, the provincial government has provided funding for building renovations aimed at improving safety and habitability. These updates include seismic upgrades, heritage building rehabilitation, and, crucially, fire safety improvements. Yet, privately owned and managed SROs often remain without sufficient oversight, where owners lack the incentive or resources to invest in structural upgrades. In contrast, SROs managed by non-profits frequently offer more than just housing, providing residents with community support services that help facilitate a transition to stable housing, though not all residents have access to these supports.
Despite these investments, significant challenges remain. The high cost of ongoing maintenance, coupled with the complex logistics of rehabilitating old structures without displacing current tenants, has stalled efforts to bring SROs up to acceptable standards. While some SROs benefit from active management and targeted improvements, others continue to deteriorate, leaving residents in unsafe, unregulated conditions that fall far short of modern housing standards.
How Stigmatization Affects Policy and Public Perception
A critical factor in the perpetuation of substandard SRO housing is the stigmatization of DTES residents, who are often seen as contributors to their own struggles rather than victims of systemic neglect. This narrative frames the causes of fires and building damage as personal failings—residents are blamed for using candles, blocking fire exits with belongings, or failing to report electrical faults. Such perceptions deflect responsibility from property owners and city officials, allowing structural issues within SROs to go unaddressed.
This societal blame fosters policies that focus on controlling tenant behaviour rather than addressing the structural problems that make SROs unsafe. Fire safety issues, for example, are often seen as “tenant-driven,” which results in superficial solutions, such as fines or temporary fire watches, rather than comprehensive upgrades to outdated electrical systems or installation of sprinkler systems. This narrow focus diverts public and governmental attention from the systemic failures that underpin the risks associated with SRO living, deepening the divide between policy and the lived reality of residents. The study highlights the need for a shift away from this stigmatizing narrative, urging policies that acknowledge and address the structural conditions contributing to the hazards in SROs.
Balancing Safety, Affordability, and Accessibility
The push for safer and more equitable housing in the DTES is grounded in the belief that every resident deserves a home that does not endanger their life. Addressing the challenges within SROs will require a multi-faceted approach that combines structural renovations, policy reform, and improved community support. Key solutions proposed include citywide safety regulations that mandate fire safety standards in all SROs, regardless of ownership status. This would mean retrofitting buildings with modern electrical systems, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems to bring these facilities in line with basic safety standards seen in other parts of the city.
Equally important is the need for a collaborative effort between private owners, non-profits, and government bodies to ensure consistent, affordable housing options. Property owners could receive subsidies or tax breaks to make essential upgrades, while non-profits and government agencies might focus on expanding support services within SROs to facilitate a healthier living environment. By shifting the focus from blame to solutions, Vancouver can create a pathway that allows for both immediate safety improvements and long-term housing stability.
Moving Beyond Temporary Solutions
The situation within Vancouver’s SRO housing is more than a local issue—it is a reflection of broader systemic inequalities in urban housing policies. For the DTES community, living in SROs is a daily reminder of the challenges that accompany affordable housing and the high cost of living in a city where the housing crisis shows no signs of abating. The ongoing safety risks posed by fire hazards, deteriorating infrastructure, and social stigma create a complex web of challenges that demand more than temporary fixes.
Real progress will require Vancouver’s commitment to enacting meaningful, comprehensive reforms. Improving safety standards, dismantling stigma, and investing in durable, compassionate housing solutions are not only essential steps for SRO tenants but also a message to the entire city: safety and dignity in housing should be universal, not a privilege reserved for the few. By addressing these longstanding issues, Vancouver can take a significant step towards a future where all residents, regardless of their income or living circumstances, have access to safe, healthy homes.
Denise is a long-time advocate for affordable and dignified housing in the Downtown Eastside. Having lived in SROs and volunteered in homeless shelters, she brings a personal understanding of the housing crisis and its impact on the community. Her work reflects years of lived experience, frontline work, and commitment to creating better living conditions for DTES residents.
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