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add lower cost options to visiting page (#300)
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* add lower cost options to visiting page

* small title case and typo fixes

* formatting

---------

Co-authored-by: Garry Ing <garry.ing@gmail.com>
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@dcwalk @garrying
dcwalk and garrying committed Jun 15, 2024
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Expand Up @@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ titleDisplay: "Visiting"
- [Public transit](#public-transit)
- [Staying in Vancouver](#staying-in-vancouver)
- [Unionized hotels](#unionized-hotels)
- [Hostels, non-profits, and summer residences](#hostels-non-profits-and-summer-residences)
- [Small-business or IBPOC-owned hotels](#small-business-or-ibpoc-owned-hotels)
- [Mitigate the harm of short-term rentals](#mitigate-the-harm-of-short-term-rentals)

Expand All @@ -19,9 +20,6 @@ Our event is taking place in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), steps from the heart

> In recent years, the Downtown Eastside has struggled with many complex challenges including drug use, crime, homelessness, housing issues, unemployment, and loss of businesses in the community.



{:.font-display}

## Getting around
Expand All @@ -37,45 +35,58 @@ Cycling even as a visitor is possible with [Mobi](https://www.mobibikes.ca/), a
_Please note, wearing a helmet while bicycling is the law in British Columbia and you can be fined ($29) for failing to do so. You can learn more about cycling in the province from [HUB Cycling](https://bikehub.ca/sites/default/files/imce/hub_cyclist_handbook_web.pdf)._

{:.font-display}

### Public transit

Public transit is operated by [Translink](https://www.translink.ca/){:data-proofer-ignore=""} and the network includes automated rapid transit called the Skytrain, Seabus ferries, commuter rail, and bus. Translink has a [trip planner](https://www.translink.ca/trip-planner){:data-proofer-ignore=""} and [route maps](https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps){:data-proofer-ignore=""} to aide passengers, and routes are searchable from most transit apps.
Public transit is operated by [Translink](https://www.translink.ca/){:data-proofer-ignore=""} and the network includes automated rapid transit called the Skytrain, Seabus ferries, commuter rail, and bus. Translink has a [trip planner](https://www.translink.ca/trip-planner){:data-proofer-ignore=""} and [route maps](https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps){:data-proofer-ignore=""} to aide passengers, and routes are searchable from most transit apps.

**Fares** are for the whole system and allow transfers on 90 minute trips. You can pay by cash, tap, and load funds on a [Compass Card](https://www.compasscard.ca/). There are three [fare zones](https://www.translink.ca/transit-fares/pricing-and-fare-zones){:data-proofer-ignore=""}, with a single 1-ZONE trip costing $3.15 by cash or tap and $2.55 by Compass.
**Fares** are for the whole system and allow transfers on 90 minute trips. You can pay by cash, tap, and load funds on a [Compass Card](https://www.compasscard.ca/). There are three [fare zones](https://www.translink.ca/transit-fares/pricing-and-fare-zones){:data-proofer-ignore=""}, with a single 1-ZONE trip costing $3.15 by cash or tap and $2.55 by Compass.

The airport is [Vancouver International airport (YVR)](https://www.yvr.ca/){:data-proofer-ignore=""}, you can travel to downtown Vancouver or across the Metro area from it via Skytrain on the [Canada Line](https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/skytrain){:data-proofer-ignore=""}. There is an [additional $5 fare](https://www.translink.ca/transit-fares/transferring-and-addfare){:data-proofer-ignore=""} for taking the Skytrain from the airport.


{:.font-display}

## Staying in Vancouver

For those looking at accommodations, including short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb, we wanted to provide context about the current housing market.
For those looking at accommodations, including short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb, we wanted to provide context about the current housing market.

Vancouver is an expensive place to live and visit. Like many cities around the world, Vancouver is experiencing an [affordability crisis](https://globalnews.ca/news/10401449/vancouver-full-blown-crisis-housing-affordability-report/) compounded by a decades-long [housing crisis](https://thetyee.ca/Culture/2023/05/03/What-Behind-Housing-Crisis-Canada/), in part driven by housing that would otherwise be available to rentals being treated as speculative investments for the operation of [short-term rentals](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/short-term-rental-accomodation-act-bc-rules-and-enforcement-1.7177836). As a result, Vancouver rent is the [most expensive in Canada](https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-rent-flat-decline-most-expensive-report) and there has been an increase in [bad-faith evictions](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/vancouver/article-landlord-use-now-most-frequently-used-tool-to-evict-bc-renters/). The [Vancouver Tenants Union](https://www.vancouvertenantsunion.ca/about){:data-proofer-ignore=""} has members who live in the 50% of the city that is rentals and collectively ensures their rights as tenants are respected.

As of May 1, 2024, B.C. has new rules that [apply to Vancouver](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/short-term-rentals.aspx): short-term rentals are restricted to the home the operator lives in and they must be rented out for less than 30 consecutive days at a time.
As of May 1, 2024, B.C. has new rules that [apply to Vancouver](https://vancouver.ca/doing-business/short-term-rentals.aspx): short-term rentals are restricted to the home the operator lives in and they must be rented out for less than 30 consecutive days at a time.

Inspired by [4S 2019 in New Orleans](https://www.4s2019.org/accommodation/), we have [once again](https://2019.ournetworks.ca/visiting/) provided information on ways to mitigate the impact of short-term rentals as well as notes on how to make your own guides.

{:.font-display}

### Unionized hotels

We checked [Fair Hotels](https://www.fairhotel.org/search?location%5Bgeolocation_geocoder_address%5D=Vancouver%2C+BC%2C+Canada&location%5Blat_north_east%5D=49.3172939&location%5Blng_north_east%5D=-123.023068&location%5Blat_south_west%5D=49.19817700000001&location%5Blng_south_west%5D=-123.22474&brand=All&field_guest_rooms_value%5Bmin%5D=0&field_guest_rooms_value%5Bmax%5D=6000&meeting_rooms%5Bmin%5D=0&meeting_rooms%5Bmax%5D=500&venue_size%5Bmin%5D=0&venue_size%5Bmax%5D=3000000), and these hotels are unionized and less than $500/night,roughly sorted by lowest price and distance:
We checked [Fair Hotels](https://www.fairhotel.org/search?location%5Bgeolocation_geocoder_address%5D=Vancouver%2C+BC%2C+Canada&location%5Blat_north_east%5D=49.3172939&location%5Blng_north_east%5D=-123.023068&location%5Blat_south_west%5D=49.19817700000001&location%5Blng_south_west%5D=-123.22474&brand=All&field_guest_rooms_value%5Bmin%5D=0&field_guest_rooms_value%5Bmax%5D=6000&meeting_rooms%5Bmin%5D=0&meeting_rooms%5Bmax%5D=500&venue_size%5Bmin%5D=0&venue_size%5Bmax%5D=3000000), and these hotels are unionized and less than $500/night, roughly ordered by lowest price and distance:

- [St. Regis Hotel](https://www.stregishotel.com)
- [Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre (Broadway)](https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/vancouver/yvrbw/hoteldetail)
- [Hilton Vancouver Metrotown](https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/yvrvmhf-hilton-vancouver-metrotown/){:data-proofer-ignore=""} (along the SkyTrain line)
- [Inn At the Quay](https://bookings.innatwestminsterquay.com/) (along the SkyTrain line)

In addition, [Unite Here Local 40](https://www.uniteherelocal40.org/) has asked that people **do not** cross their picket lines at the following locations:

- Sheraton YVR Hotel
- Marriott YVR Hotel
- Hilton YVR Hotel
- Radisson Blu YVR Hotel

{:.font-display}

### Hostels, non-profits, and summer residences

Here are some lower-cost options based around the city, roughly ordered by distance:

- [The Cambie Hostel](https://www.cambiehostels.com/)
- [YWCA Hotel](https://ywcavan.org/hotel)
- [Simon Fraser University (SFU) Guest Accomodations](https://www.sfu.ca/stayhere/request-a-booking/individual-traveller.html)
- [University of British Columbia (UBC) Pacific Spirit Hostel](https://suitesatubc.com/affordable-reliable-hostels-vancouver/)

{:.font-display}

### Small-business or IBPOC-owned hotels

We searched and could not confirm a directory of accommodations that are small businesses or IBPOC-owned in Vancouver. If you know of any, please contact us at [orga@ournetworks.ca](mailto:orga@ournetworks.ca).
Expand All @@ -88,7 +99,7 @@ Considerations for short-term rentals:

- Ensure the listing includes a business license
- Check to see if the operator allows you to book for longer than 30 days
- Avoid listings for entire homes, usually condo units, as those tend to be owned by investors
- Avoid listings for entire homes, usually condo units, as those tend to be owned by investors
- Avoid hosts with multiple listings

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