Housing Justice Archive

Housing Justice Archive

by timothy martin

Education History

Season 1

Del: "listen to their stories"

The full interview with Del, of the Dakelh or Carrier Nation. Del is the Vice-President of VANDU and the President of the Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society (or WAHRS). Something that is implicit in everything she does and says is the idea that you cannot do research, educate others, or build a movement without understanding the people. Relationship is central to her work with WAHRS and VANDU, and she has impressed upon me the requirement that research be in dialogue with, and centre the voices of, those facing the sharp end of the housing crisis. I got to sit on the back patio at VANDU with Del, with a soundscape of crows and helicopters, and have a conversation on June 10, 2026. In this conversation, we talk about the legal battle facing two members of the Drug User Liberation Front (or DULF), why the work of Our Homes Can’t Wait feels overwhelming, Ken Sim’s mayoralty, FIFA’s impact on the DTES, and the poor quality and provision of affordable housing in Vancouver. Huge thanks to Del; I hope you enjoy. Image: VANDU Archives

Scotty Archondous: “Your lonely circle is actually not lonely”

The full oral history interview with Scott Archondous. Scott is a board member at VANDU (Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users). This interview marks the first of several interviews with organizers and advocates from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES). Stay tuned for more! Image Credit: VANDU Archives.

Greg Cook: "The Art of the Possible"

The full oral history interview with Greg Cook. Links: Shelter and Housing Justice Network https://www.instagram.com/shjnetwork/ Displacement City (book) https://utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781487546496

Lorraine Lam: "Come and see for yourself"

The full oral history with outreach worker and community organizer Lorraine Lam.

John Clarke: "the real fight lies ahead"

The full oral history interview with John Clarke (OCAP, 23oFightback). Photo credit: Christopher Bognat, City of Toronto Archives.

Greg Paul. Mutuality and Liberation: “from talking about housing to talking about homes”

The full oral history interview with Greg Paul of Sanctuary Toronto.

Bob Rose: "If you don't understand the words, listen to the tune"

Interview with Bob Rose—PARC staff member, TDRC member, storyteller, musician, and good listener. Photo: from the Toronto Homeless Memorial, Fall 2006 (City of Toronto Archives)

Cathy Crowe and Beric German: "Warriors from a different time"

The full oral history interview with Cathy Crowe and Beric German. (Image Credit: Cathy Crowe)

Gaétan Héroux: "Everything the poor have was fought for"

The full oral history interview with Gaetan Heroux. (Image credit: Gaetan Heroux, "Bay Street has no business at Dundas and Sherbourne," May 31, 2023. YouTube.)

The Colonel: "All we want is a little place to live"

The full oral history interview with The Colonel. Image Credit: Danielle Koyama. (From Cathy Crowe's Private Collection.)

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