During the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia, Stephen Nelson experienced the swiftness with which high temperatures can become life-threatening. Living at the Keefer Rooms in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES), Nelson recounted the distress of his friend and neighbor, Mario, who struggled with the intense heat. To help Mario, Nelson and his girlfriend took measures like opening windows, using a fan, and ensuring he stayed hydrated. However, tragically, Mario passed away during the heat wave due to a combination of extreme temperatures and underlying health issues, as confirmed by a coroner’s report.

The Keefer Rooms is among approximately 100 single-room occupancy buildings in Vancouver where residents typically have small rooms and shared bathrooms. The extreme heat wave claimed the lives of 619 individuals, with a report from the B.C. Coroners Service revealing that 10% of the deaths occurred in social housing, including SROs.

In response to the crisis, tenants and neighbors in SRO buildings collaborated to monitor temperatures and implement safety measures during heatwaves. Wendy Pedersen established the Downtown Eastside SRO Collaborative Society, which organized teams to check on residents and distribute bottled water during heatwaves. Efforts also led to the creation of cooling rooms in several SRO buildings, with plans for further expansions.

Despite challenges posed by inadequate cooling infrastructure in SRO buildings, the community remains resilient and committed to supporting each other. The importance of preserving SRO housing as a vital resource for individuals at risk of homelessness was emphasized, with ongoing efforts to secure funding for essential upgrades and improvements. The collaborative spirit and mutual aid in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside highlight the resilience and compassion within the community.