UPDATE

Citywide Housing Coalition (CHC)August 28, 2008 See below: 1) Update2) Little Mountain Public Housing Demolition - Picnic & Corn-fest3) Calendar of Upcoming Housing Events4) What's happening at Little Mountain by CALM *****11111**********11111**********11111***** Hello Citywide Housing Coalition Network, In just over a year we've helped make homelessness and public housing a major priority on the public agenda. Now we're entering a year of election campaigns at all three levels of government, and we want to continue to build public and media pressure on civic, provincial, and federal politicians and candidates. Since April 2007 we've worked on our own and also with groups like Streams of Justice, Carnegie Community Action Project, and the STANDs for Housing. We've organized marches, rallies, city hall delegations, media appearances, and more... This June we invited everyone on the Citywide list, plus labour, faith, and community groups to discuss what kind of high-impact event we could create by October. Summer came quickly, and with it the festivals that create outreach opportunities. We had discussed mounting a big march through the city and a rally with thousands of people, but the time frame became a problem. Since organizing a big march and rally requires significant time, we've decided the march will happen in the spring. Meantime, our first big action will be to invite all the groups conducting Vancouver STANDS for Housing-- augmented by labour, faith, and community groups--to "Surround City Hall" on October 18th, 1-2pm. And besides Vancouver, City Hall convergences of blue banners and blue scarfs will be replicated throughout the province: May 18th will be a "Provincial Stand for Housing" at City Halls in at least the 45 communities where Stands were held last May-- at 115 different intersections. The process begins right away. This Saturday is the kickoff for the Fall Housing Offensive-- ==================================================== *****22222**********22222**********22222***** Come join the tenacious and creative activists of Little Mountain public housing for aPICNIC & CORN-FEST on Saturday, August 30th3-5:30, at Main & 35th Ave., in the Little Mountain complex Bring chairs and blankets; we provide corn-on-the-cob, salads, watermelon, and desserts!Games for kids, prizes and fun for the whole family! Please RSVP 604.325-7209 or email calmhousing@hotmail.comBrought to you by CALM, Community Advocates for Little Mountain,and neighbours and supporters of the tenants of Little Mountain public housing.Website: http://www.my-calm.info/ ============================================== *****33333**********33333**********33333***** UPCOMING HOUSING ACTIONS#Sept 6: Stands for Housing resume, every Saturday from 1 to 2pm #Sept 20: Benefit Concert for activist housing groups, featuring Fraser Union, Duncan Truter, and the No Shit Shirleys. St James Comm Sq, 3214 W 10th. Tickets $15: Rufus Guitars, Highlife Records or westside Roger 224-0430, midtown Barry 327-7811, Eastside Dan 254-9466. #Sept 22, onward: Vigil for Little Mtn every weeknight, 7:30-8:30 #Oct 12-19: Homeless Awareness Week #Oct 18: Provincial STAND for Housing -- "Surround your City Hall" #Spring 09: March for Housing, date to be announced. ========================================= *****44444**********44444**********44444***** WHAT'S HAPPENING AT LITTLE MOUNTAIN (from CALM)-- The provincial government said Simon Lim's Holborn Group is the buyer and developer of the Little Mountain site, but provided no details because closing the deal is based on "vacant possession." Despite continued pressure from BC Housing, about 35 families remain on the Little Mountain site, so the site is not "vacant." The tenants planted a community garden and will hold a picnic on August 30. Together with local residents, they supported the Stand for Housing at Main and 33rd and put up banners along 33rd Avenue every Saturday throughout the summer. The updated leaflet on Little Mountain calls for no sale of public land and volunteers distributed it at local community festivals this summer. Community Advocates for Little Mountain (CALM) established several working groups to initiate supportive activities this fall. The plan is to escalate the actions to prevent "vacant possession" for the developer. The remaining tenants must be allowed to stay and the vacant homes must be re-opened until new construction is ready to start. Week- night vigils to highlight the vacancies will begin in September and mark the beginning of escalating actions to make Little Mountain a focus in the municipal, provincial, and federal elections. Sorry for length, but lots happening. Hope to see you Saturday. Onward,Rider CooeyCitywide Housing Coalition Fairview organizer