Homelessness

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street as the city works to clear tents from a sprawling homeless encampment in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. People living in a growing street encampment along a busy street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside have been handed notices advising that the tents and other structures are about to be removed. The city’s fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Threatening flyers distributed throughout Vancouver tent encampment: police

Vancouver police say flyers contained threats to burn down tents with gasoline and propane

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street as the city works to clear tents from a sprawling homeless encampment in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. People living in a growing street encampment along a busy street in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside have been handed notices advising that the tents and other structures are about to be removed. The city’s fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, where city workers started efforts to clear the encampment on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The city’s fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

As Vancouver begins removing tent encampment, residents wonder where they should go

Heavy police presence and resident concern as city staff set to work Tuesday

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, where city workers started efforts to clear the encampment on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The city’s fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. People living in a growing tent community along the street have been handed notices advising that the tents and other structures are about to be removed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Crowded tent encampment on main Vancouver street set to be removed by city

Notice from the City of Vancouver says removal would first focus on the highest risk areas

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. People living in a growing tent community along the street have been handed notices advising that the tents and other structures are about to be removed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Victoria Native Friendship Centre in Saanich is now administering a fund aimed at supporting organizations addressing Indigenous homelessness. The deadline for the current round of project applications is Aug. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria Native Friendship Centre takes over Indigenous homelessness fund

Saanich-based organization accepting project funding applications until Aug. 15

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre in Saanich is now administering a fund aimed at supporting organizations addressing Indigenous homelessness. The deadline for the current round of project applications is Aug. 15. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bullet holes are seen in the windshield and passenger window of a police vehicle at the scene of a shooting, in Langley, B.C., on Monday, July 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘My heart breaks’: Trudeau, leaders react to deadly Langley shooting

28-year-old Surrey man shot four people, killing two, during a 5-hour spree Monday

Bullet holes are seen in the windshield and passenger window of a police vehicle at the scene of a shooting, in Langley, B.C., on Monday, July 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A police officer stands near a windshield and passenger window of an RCMP vehicle with bullet holes at the scene of a shooting in Langley on Monday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Victoria homelessness coalition calls for end to stigma after Langley shootings

Motive still being investigated but advocates say those without homes targeted

A police officer stands near a windshield and passenger window of an RCMP vehicle with bullet holes at the scene of a shooting in Langley on Monday. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Sidney is tweaking bylaws that govern overnight camping in public areas amid concerns that homelessness is proliferating. Sidney / North Saanich RCMP, however, have said that homelessness has decreased with about 10 people or so experiencing homelessness. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Regular enforcement of overnight camping rules in Sidney set to resume

Numbers fluctuate, but 10 or so people currently experiencing homelessness in Sidney

Sidney is tweaking bylaws that govern overnight camping in public areas amid concerns that homelessness is proliferating. Sidney / North Saanich RCMP, however, have said that homelessness has decreased with about 10 people or so experiencing homelessness. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The Hope Centre at 6750 West Coast Rd. is accepting bottle donations from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. (Photo-contributed by Hope Centre)

Homeless numbers on the rise in Sooke

Lack of affordable housing, opioid crisis just two factors spurring increase

The Hope Centre at 6750 West Coast Rd. is accepting bottle donations from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. (Photo-contributed by Hope Centre)
The Sooke Homeless Coalition wants to work with the District of Sooke to offer stable, safe places for homeless people to park recreatioal vehicles. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Homeless Coalition seeks safety for people sleeping in cars

Emergency billeting idea would link homeless with property owners

The Sooke Homeless Coalition wants to work with the District of Sooke to offer stable, safe places for homeless people to park recreatioal vehicles. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. ministers tout $633M to address homelessness day after data shows thousands unhoused

Funds going toward youth in care, complex-care housing, rent supplements, support workers

FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Black Press file photo)

23,000 people experienced homelessness in B.C. in 2019, new data shows

The province will release their strategy for homelessness on Thursday (March 17)

(Black Press file photo)
Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Budget: Renter rebate off the table, but $600 rent supplements coming for vulnerable groups

Long-awaited renters rebate left out of 2022 budget

Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Conestoga hut is ‘cheap, quick, warm, good bed, in out of the rain, step up from a tent and secure,’ says Krista Loughton of Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Saanich hut showcases what shelter could look like

Conestoga huts a potential short-term solution toward housing

The Conestoga hut is ‘cheap, quick, warm, good bed, in out of the rain, step up from a tent and secure,’ says Krista Loughton of Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Brain injury endemic among homeless populations: Vancouver research

31% of those interviewed between Dec. 2016 and May 2018 reported at least one traumatic brain injury

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Homeless people in Sooke will receive a helping hand to find mental-health support, thanks to the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation. (File - Metro-Creative)

Grant benefits Sooke homeless with mental health support

Fund through Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation provides $5,000

Homeless people in Sooke will receive a helping hand to find mental-health support, thanks to the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation. (File - Metro-Creative)
Extra shelter beds are opening up Thursday night (Jan. 27) at the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre on Johnson Street, due to the cold weather forecast for the region. (Black Press Media file photo)

Freezing forecast sees overnight shelter spaces added Thursday for Victoria, Sooke

Those experiencing homelessness can grab one of 30 spots available in Victoria, five in Sooke

Extra shelter beds are opening up Thursday night (Jan. 27) at the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre on Johnson Street, due to the cold weather forecast for the region. (Black Press Media file photo)
Nurse coordinator Katie Leahy (left) and physician Dr. Fraser Black, shown in a pre-pandemic photo, work with the Palliative Outreach Resource Team (PORT). A new partnership aims to enhance PORT’s efforts to increase access to medical supplies and care for people experiencing homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)

Partnership increasing access to medical resources for unhoused in Greater Victoria

Easier access to medical supplies and equipment provided through Palliative Outreach Resource Team

Nurse coordinator Katie Leahy (left) and physician Dr. Fraser Black, shown in a pre-pandemic photo, work with the Palliative Outreach Resource Team (PORT). A new partnership aims to enhance PORT’s efforts to increase access to medical supplies and care for people experiencing homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)
With freezing temperatures in the forecast, an extreme weather alert is in effect for Greater Victoria on Jan 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Freezing forecast sees overnight shelter spaces added in Victoria, Sooke

Those experiencing homelessness can grab one of 30 spots available in Victoria, five in Sooke

With freezing temperatures in the forecast, an extreme weather alert is in effect for Greater Victoria on Jan 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives team of Jeremy Caradonna, Matt Dell, Rob Reid, Calen McNeil, and Krista Loughton are looking for a site to place their inaugural Conestoga Hut. (Photo courtesy Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives)

Cash raised for hut, now Victoria group seeks church parking space to house homeless

Region suffers lack of emergency winter shelter spaces due to staffing shortages

The Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives team of Jeremy Caradonna, Matt Dell, Rob Reid, Calen McNeil, and Krista Loughton are looking for a site to place their inaugural Conestoga Hut. (Photo courtesy Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives)
A person experiencing homelessness walks past Our Place Society on Jan. 14, 2020. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Three Victoria shelters offer homeless refuge into New Year amid snowfall

Following an Extreme Weather Alert issued by the Government of Canada on Dec. 24.

A person experiencing homelessness walks past Our Place Society on Jan. 14, 2020. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
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