The special coordinator for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) has had his contract extended by another six months, the province says on Tuesday.

Larry Campbell, the former vancouver mayor was appointed to the role by the province last September.

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B.C.’s housing minister, Christine Boyle, says that the province seeks to continue the cooperation with Campbell, highlighting the work he has done so far in improving the neighbourhood’s living conditions.

Campbell says that one of his main concerns in the neighbourhood is women’s safety.

“When I look down there, my biggest concern is for women and for Indigenous women, and I don’t think that there’s a safe SRO in the Downtown Eastside for women and Indigenous.”
He adds that improving the SROs has been a major part of his work.

“We have to take a look at how we are going to go about replacing the SROs, some of which simply should not be lived in,” he explained.

Campbell says that with his extended appointment, he will continue to work with many stakeholders and come up with solutions to improve housing, public spaces, infrastructure, and healthcare.

He warns that it will not be a cheap nor simple path ahead.

“And I want to make this absolutely clear, I don’t want to take one cent away from what’s going to the Downtown Eastside,” Campbell said.

“This is not about saving money; this is about taxpayers’ money going into helping a community that’s in dire straits.”

Campbell served as a senator, police officer, and chief coroner

During his tenure as the province’s DTES adviser, he has been working with all levels of government, including people in the community and local organizations.

“Larry’s work to date has laid the groundwork for some upcoming next steps — and we are now at a critical juncture in the work he has been doing,” Boyle added.

“He has been connecting with people in the community week after week, reviewing the coordination of organizations and initiatives, such as day spaces, to further support their meaningful impact in the neighbourhood, and leveraging his experience as mayor and senator to advocate for and advance efforts toward multi-government co-operation on housing in the DTES. 

Campbell also served as a senator, police officer, and chief coroner in the past.