B.C. APPOINTS A DOWNTOWN-EAST CHAMPION

A housing expert renowned for his ability to dream up creative
solutions to social problems has been put in charge of the province's
part of a campaign to revive the Downtown Eastside.

Jim O'Dea was named associate deputy minister for community
development, cooperatives and volunteers to oversee the Vancouver
Agreement. That agreement between the municipal, provincial and
federal governments targets special assistance to the Downtown
Eastside, beset by drugs, poverty, crime, and gentrification. Until
now, the province hasn't had a strong presence to lead the effort,
which has been percolating in discussions for two years.

"He's a good capable person," praised Mayor Philip
Owen.

O'Dea, 53, is an unmistakable figure with his ponytail and voluble
energy. He drove through the innovative plan two years ago to have
the province buy two slum hotels and convert them to livable housing
using money from two ministries and the Vancouver/Richmond health
board. Chairman of B.C. Housing, O'Dea spent 16 years co-running a
housing consultation business that helped housing groups develop projects.

The Vancouver Agreement aims to tackle health and drug issues,
economic development, and building community strengths, which includes
crime. O'Dea admitted he doesn't expect instant change.

"It's taken years to get where we are. No guiding light will walk in
and change this thing overnight."

But he said it's important to come up with a plan so people understand
the effort is not a series of unconnected projects. It also means
getting things going -- even if some of those things ultimately fail.
That means helping develop small community-backed businesses and
coming up with a comprehensive drug policy.

He called the problems complex and deep-rooted, but said a dedicated
team of nine senior people from the three governments, community
groups and agencies will help.

"If we can't get something done, we should just pack our bags."