You’re right that the SRO conversions are very loosely tied to 2010 per se. I think, however, it’s clear that what’s going on is the developers and property owners are using 2010 as an excuse to convert their units into condos on which they can make a great deal more money. Vancouver city council is almost pathalogically facilitative towards anything to do with the Olympics, so it’s smart on their part to use that as cover.

Pivot’s not unaware of this; but they’re equally aware of the headline-grabbing power of the Olympics. I don’t think they ARE claiming that this invasion of workers is going to take place; they believe, as I do, that an invasion of property flippers and yuppies will take place.

However, the article by the Pivot Society reeks of partisan politics. They are clearly motivated by their anti-Olympic mantra and attempt to tie 2010 to all things wrong with DTES as often as possible. The trend of SRO conversions is at best very loosely tied to 2010. Why? a) venue contruction in Vancouver is almost done; b) there are no Olympic venues being built in the DTES; and c) the vast majority of Olympic workers already live here.

I would seriously like to see the facts to back-up their claim that there’s this plethora of Olympic workers invading the DTES in need of temporary housing. It just isn’t true.