Pulling back the curtain on the widely felt, seldom-discussed discrimination that Chinese seniors face every day
In Vancouver’s Chinatown, seniors who speak only Cantonese or Mandarin face discrimination, marginalization, and a lack of affordable, culturally- and linguistically-appropriate housing. Research suggests the problem will worsen as these vulnerable seniors, already living in poverty and isolation, age. Housing reporter Jackie Wong reveals, in a special Tyee series, the widely felt but seldom-discussed discrimination that Chinese seniors face every day. She also looks at innovative housing solutions found in Toronto and San Francisco.
Wong’s investigative series found that: (1) as the neighbourhood ‘revitalizes,’ its Chinese-speaking seniors struggle for resources; (2) discrimination can be the biggest challenge faced by Chinese-speaking seniors; (3) there is an undiminished need for supportive housing amid rapid gentrification; and (4) Vancouver, unlike other cities like Toronto and San Francisco, lacks comprehensive, culturally appropriate housing and services for its growing population of Chinese-speaking seniors.
We speak with Jackie Wong.
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RELATED | Still Here: As the city’s neighbourhood ‘revitalizes,’ its Chinese-speaking seniors struggle for resources | Old, Alone and Victims of Racism in Downtown Eastside: Service providers call for more culturally specific services | ‘A Drop in the Bucket’: Housing for Chinese speaking seniors | Innovative, Holistic Models: For Chinese speaking seniors, better services in San Francisco and Toronto |
