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PHOTOGRAPHY about SolidarityPovertyIdeasHousingHealthEducationposted on October 20, 2014 by flux

SRO Convention delivers 'Worst Cockroach Haven' awards

by murray bush - flux photo

Delivering the award to the Regent
Outside the Balmoral
A couple of roaches with SRO trophies
SRO Convention delivers 'Worst Cockroach Haven' awards
SRO Convention delivers 'Worst Cockroach Haven' awards
At the Cobalt
SRO Convention delivers 'Worst Cockroach Haven' awards
SRO Convention delivers 'Worst Cockroach Haven' awards
Organizers Jean Swanson and Tamara Herman

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE - The First SRO (single room  occupancy) Convention wrapped up today with trophies for the three worst SROs in the neighbourhood. 

Convention delegates marched through the Downtown Eastside to deliver the awards to the Cobalt, Regent and Balmoral hotels.  The Balmoral "won" first place as the dirtiest, most poorly run, most bug infested SRO. All three hotels are owned by notorious slum landlords the sahota family.

Participants also carried 'tombstones' listing recently lost affordable housing in the DTES.

The contest is a revival of the Crummiest Cockroach Haven Contest first held in the 1970s by then community activist and many-time COPE City Councillor Bruce Eriksen.

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