Graffiti can sometimes be a touchy subject in Vancouver, but folks around the city are celebrating a recently passed motion that renames an alley after a beloved community member.
The motion called for renaming the alley Ashtrey Alley, named after Trey Helten, who passed away last month. Helten was an advocate for drug users and people experiencing homelessness and was considered a local hero by many.
The alley is located between Hastings and Pender streets, connecting Cambie and Abbott.
While many were already calling it Ashtrey Alley, it’s now official. The motion passed unanimously, with all councillors and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim voting in favour.
@OneCityVan/X
The motion, which was brought forward by councillor Sean Orr, states, “Trey Helten was a beloved harm reduction advocate in the Downtown Eastside who was known for his tireless work to help others.”
It also said that he was actively fighting the stigma against drug users and that he saved hundreds of lives.
A great graffiti tribute. Ashtrey Alley should become permanent thing. Not sure if that’s possible tho. pic.twitter.com/4Kt6MNokE7
— Karm Sumal (@KarmSumal) May 8, 2025
The motion also spoke to the importance of installations like this.
“As dedicated spaces, they can also serve as a place for street artists to meet, build
community, and can provide opportunities for mentorship.”
This past weekend, we gathered in Clean Lines Alley to paint, connect, and remember Trey Helten — a beloved community member whose impact continues to ripple through the Downtown Eastside.#CleanLinesAlley #ashtreyalley #BCIHS #TreyLegacy #DTES #OverdosePrevention #growup pic.twitter.com/RBUvajdSEA
— BC Indigenous Housing Society (@bc_IndigHousing) May 1, 2025
Helten was previously involved in gathering folks to create the Landback Mural, which you likely would’ve spotted on the side of a six-storey building near the Downtown Eastside and Gastown at 99 West Pender St. Helten invested thousands of his own dollars in supporting contributing artists who couldn’t afford their own supplies.
We had a chance to speak with Helten in 2021 following the completion of the Landback Mural.
Helten told us he was a former drug user, once addicted to crystal meth and heroin. He got clean in a 12-step program back in 2016 and was encouraged by his therapist and his friends to find something to focus his energy on. Art became that focus.
“When I got clean, I had to learn how to be a contributing member of society all over again.”
Previously, the City of Vancouver introduced a pilot program for a graffiti art wall in response to increased nuisance graffiti during COVID-19. That pilot was between Helten and the Vancouver Native Housing Society. In 2022, some councillors also presented the idea of sanctioned free-for-all graffiti areas.
National drug advocacy group, MomsStopTheHarm, shared a message following Helten’s passing.
“Trey had a wicked sense of humour and enough love and kindness for everyone who needed him. Sometimes you say people would give you the shirt off their back, Trey did, more than once. He reversed more overdoses and saved more lives than we can count,” the group said.
“Rest in peace, dear friend. You leave a legacy, a huge gap and will never be forgotten.”
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