Homeless Encampments, Hotels, and Equitable Access to Public Space: Socially Sustainable Post-Pandemic Public Spaces in British Columbia, Canada

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing social inequities (de la Barre et al., 2020; Fenley, 2020; Perri et al., 2020). The closure of drop-in services and community centres, reduced access to public spaces, and a reduction in resources has had a negative impact on marginalized populations (Perri et al., 2020). Moreover, these tumultuous circumstances have led to increased numbers of persons setting up encampments and clustering in public space across British Columbia, Canada (British Columbia Ministry of Health, 2020b).