The Metrotown Portrait Project is an ongoing series and my attempt at archiving and documenting this rapidly changing neighbourhood in the heart of Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada where industrial scale gentrification is displacing thousands of people.
As a former resident, I felt it was important to bring attention to the effect of out of control housing costs on the highly vulnerable population calling these apartment blocks home. This neighbourhood represents, in a highly concentrated form, the myriad of problems and forces in play that form the powerful maelstrom also referred to as the “affordable housing crisis” in the Lower Mainland.
I’ve set out to create a portrait of the neighbourhood, its people and its buildings before it disappears entirely. My goal is to show and hopefully help lend a voice to the individuals living in these buildings.
How long have you lived in this neighbourhood?
7 Years
Have you found a new home yet?
No
How does this situation make you feel?
This is a sad and stressful situation.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
We have been told they will offer help, but gave no details.
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
18 years
Have you found a new home yet?
Not Demovicted Yet!
How does this situation make you feel?
Nervous!
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
Not Yet.
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
20 Years
Have you found a new home yet?
Not Yet
How does this situation make you feel?
I feel anxiety, pressure because I don’t want to leave this community. I love this place. It’s quiet and I feel safe.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
A couple of social workers came by, but nothing tangible was offered and it would cost me more money.
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
1 year
Have you found a new home yet?
No, I have been looking.
How does this situation make you feel?
Stressful, sad, mad.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
No
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
8 Years
Have you found a new home yet?
No
How does this situation make you feel?
So sad to leave, because here we are so near everything. We’re comfortable here because everything is accessible.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
Not yet
How long have you lived in this neighbourhood?
9 Years
Have you found a new home yet?
No, but I’m still looking.
How does this situation make you feel?
Powerless and insulted.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
Not one whit. (Except for the building manager
and a friend of mine, who gave me
advance notice)
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
7 Years
Have you found a new home yet?
No
How does this situation make you feel?
Sad
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
No
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
1 Year
Have you found a new home yet?
No
How does this situation make you feel?
Homeless, helpless, vulnerable, hopeless, no voice, impoverished.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
No
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
19 Years in this building and 4 years a block away
Have you found a new home yet?
No - Where can we go?
How does this situation make you feel?
Anxious!
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
Zilch!
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
5 Years
Have you found a new home yet?
No
How does this situation make you feel?
Anxious, betrayed, angry.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
No
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
9 Years
Have you found a new home yet?
No
How does this situation make you feel?
Makes me feel sad because I already like this place and the neighbours are good.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
No
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
Since October 2018
Have you found a new home yet?
No.
How does this situation make you feel?
Bad, Sad
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
Only from people who are trying to stop people from being displaced.
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
5 Years and some months.
Have you found a new home yet?
No.
How does this situation make you feel?
Stressed.
Did you receive any help or support to find alternate housing?
No.
Alaidjah
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
10 years
How does the housing crisis affect you?
Constant uncertainty. My neighbourhood has changed demographically. Prices have gone up.
How does this situation make you feel?
Like my government doesn’t care. Hard to get ahead and prosper.
Did you receive any help or support to
find alternate housing?
Ha! Never.
Dheyaa and his son:
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
Since 2014.
How does the housing crisis affect you?
We have mice and cockroaches in our suite and the building.
Did you receive any help or support to
find alternate housing?
No.
Josh
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
6 years
How does the housing crisis affect you?
The building is unsanitary for my kids and it is unaffordable.
Did you receive any help or support to
find alternate housing?
No
Alfredo
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
6 months
How does the housing crisis affect you?
Bugs problem (Roaches)
Did you receive any help or support from your landlord, building manager, developer or government to find alternate housing?
Not yet.
Kim
How long have you lived in Metrotown?
2 years
How does the housing crisis affect you?
The fear of having to move. I don’t want to move, we are close to everything here.
How does this situation make you feel?
Upset.
Did you receive any help or support to
find alternate housing?
No.