Cambie corridor neighbours raise concerns about squatters

Neighbours in the Cambie corridor are raising concerns over vacant and boarded-up properties left empty by developers thatare now housing squatters.

Daniel Farkas, who lives in the area of Cambie Streetand King Edward Avenue, says there are two nearby homes where squatters have been coming and going for months.

"I've called the city many times and they've told me to call the VPD and they've made arrests but it's not going to solve the issue.The issue is the fact that these houses aren't secured," he said.

The Cambie corridor is one of the mostly rapidly changing areas of Vancouver.

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Since the Canada Line turned the corridor into a major transit artery in 2009, houses have come down and 14,000 new homes as well as rental and social housing are planned.

Travis Montgomery is one of the squatters living in ahome adjacent to Farkas' property. The 39-year-old was handed a violation ticket for trespassing after a noise complaint last week.

Montgomery, who says he is from White Rock, is on welfareandsays he can't afford the high cost of Vancouver rentals.

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"If you go to B.C. Housing, I find a lot of them are crack dens, [you] just end up going back to stuff you're trying to stay away from," saidMontgomery.

"The shelters, they fill up fast, bunch of guys in one room ... snoring all night. I'm a light sleeper, I kind of like to have my own space."

'Five-star resort'

A week ago Montgomery moved into the boarded-uphouse, whichisworth $4.8 million according to B.C. Assessment.

"I just started squatting a couple of weeks ago.I've been living in a tent actually. I've been a tenter for a while," he said.

"My background is field geologist, so I've been outside in tents so squatting in a house in Vancouver is a five-star resort, right?"

Farkassays theelectricity is still on in some of the abandoned homes and he'sworriedabout the potential for fires.

"No one seems to care. And there's no onus on the developer," he said. "The owner of that lot should be liable for maintaining the house and lot, and that's not happening."

Property owners accountable

In a statement, the City of Vancouver said it would be sending out inspectorsand fire and rescue servicesto investigate the property where Montgomery is staying, after it received a 311 call on Sunday morning about apossible squatter.

"Property owners are accountable for ensuring their buildings and properties are adequately secured," said the statement."If a property owner does not maintain a secure premise, the city will secure the property and bill the owner."

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Montgomery said he would never stay in a home that wasn't set to be demolished.He saysconstruction crews told him the building is set to come down in a week.