Megaphone has been calling for more affordable housing for low-income and homeless for years, but in Issue #115 we give the City of Vancouver a chance to weigh in on housing issues; starting with a feature interview with new city planner Brian Jackson. A seasoned urban planner who previously served as director of development at the City of Richmond, Jackson talks about managing growth, the Affordable Housing Task Force, and incentive programs for building rental units all while keeping Vancouver the beautiful, unique-looking city we love.

Also in this issue: Karen O'Shannacery and Nathan Edelson from the City's Affordable Housing Task Force also weigh in on how the city's proposals for creating housing affordable to the middle class will also benefit those living in shelters and on the streets. But in the Downtown Eastside, a new condo project has divided the opinions of residents who want affordable housing and businesses, but disagree on mixed-income condo developments in the area.

The Heart of the City Festival celebrates cultural side of the DTES with theatre, comedy, music and gallery shows celebrating the area's low-income residents; a new study shows Aboriginal people require comprehensive, community-centred diabetes treatments; a new video game that aims to inform about homelessness misses the big picture; poetry from Megaphone's writing workshops, arts listings, articles from our vendors, and more! 

Support your local vendor and pick up a copy of Issue #115 today.