“Is it stressful? I’d say so” is the 11th in the series of reports “Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside: Past and Present.” The Downtown Eastside (DTES) is a neighbourhood with severe issues, amongst them, poverty, homelessness and drug overdose, all of which have intensified with the pandemic.

Robin and Donny did not at first, want to talk with us, but then agreed to on a first name basis. Residents of the Downtown Eastside are often reluctant to talk to media. For that reason, we are honouring their request. They both work construction, live in the Downtown Eastside and hang out in Victory Square after work. Donny lives in a single room occupancy hotel, (SRO) and says that he usually spends all his waking hours outside and away from his apartment. Both he and Robin are not allowed guests. This is not ideal because Donny wants to live with his family and Robin wants to start a family. They feel that living this way is not healthy.

Each day this week, we’ll publish another of these interviews.

In the present day, the Downtown Eastside faces multiple issues all of which have been exacerbated by COVID 19. This is within a population that has been struggling for decades. Amongst these are housing, health; including overdose, mental health and the impact of the pandemic, poverty and homelessness, indigenous reconciliation and policing.

Future episodes will include representatives from various organizations: civic, provincial and grassroots, addressing the task at hand.

The work to be done is not to be underestimated yet the resilience and determination of community members, not commonly recognized, continues to grow. As well as these individuals, we will also be hearing from those who live in the community and call it home.