Woodward's Building

In September 2002, a vacant and decaying Woodward's building in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside became the unlikely stage for a prolonged and impactful squatters' protest. Over a hundred activists and homeless individuals occupied the derelict department store, demanding that the city and provincial government develop the site for social housing. The building, a former retail icon, had been empty for years, a symbol of urban decay amidst a growing housing crisis. The occupiers transformed parts of the interior, creating makeshift living spaces and organizing support systems. The squat lasted for several weeks, drawing significant media attention and sparking intense public debate about homelessness and the responsibility of government to provide affordable housing. While the squatters were eventually evicted, their actions brought unprecedented visibility to the issue, ultimately contributing to the eventual redevelopment of the Woodward's site to include social housing units, a direct legacy of their bold occupation.