Homelessness

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Specialist who treated rare disease among homeless wants doctors to be aware of signs

Those four cases this year are the only ones known to have occurred in Canada since the mid-1990s

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The public will start to weigh in next month on the possible future uses of Oak Bay Lodge. In the meantime, a request to the province by the City of Victoria to intervene and allow use of at least a portion of the closed facility as temporary shelter space awaits an answer. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay Lodge redevelopment planning continues, request for temporary use awaits answer

Public consultation on future of CRD-owned site begins next month

The public will start to weigh in next month on the possible future uses of Oak Bay Lodge. In the meantime, a request to the province by the City of Victoria to intervene and allow use of at least a portion of the closed facility as temporary shelter space awaits an answer. (Black Press Media file photo)
Shea Smith is one of three creators of The Homeless Idea podcast. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Victoria podcasters talk homelessness first-hand

Three homeless Victoria residents created The Homeless Idea to give themselves a voice

Shea Smith is one of three creators of The Homeless Idea podcast. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
The Silk Road Tea boxed set of 12 varieties is being sold as a fundraiser for the non-profit Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)

Seasonal fundraiser suits Victoria youth housing non-profit to a tea

Winter Carnival cancelled, but Threshold Housing brewing up a tasty option for donors

The Silk Road Tea boxed set of 12 varieties is being sold as a fundraiser for the non-profit Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)
In March 2020, more than 1,500 people were homeless in Victoria, according to a survey by the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)

Housing, homelessness and affordability top concerns in Greater Victoria: Vital Signs report

2020 report sees drop in ratings for housing, newcomer opportunities

In March 2020, more than 1,500 people were homeless in Victoria, according to a survey by the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)
Two Victoria councillors are bringing a motion to Thursday’s meeting in hopes of securing funding for free transit fare for Victoria’s unhoused community. (Black Press Media file photo)

Councillors seek free transit for Victoria’s homeless

Motion comes to council on Thursday

Two Victoria councillors are bringing a motion to Thursday’s meeting in hopes of securing funding for free transit fare for Victoria’s unhoused community. (Black Press Media file photo)
A community tent in Beacon Hill Park was set up in order to provide a safe, dry place for people who are living outside. (Facebook/Beverley Joy)

Beacon Hill Park’s unhoused install community tent as Victoria weather turns wet

Organizers say dry, safe place needed to replace unavailable shelter space

A community tent in Beacon Hill Park was set up in order to provide a safe, dry place for people who are living outside. (Facebook/Beverley Joy)
Over a dozen unhoused people and North Park neighbourhood residents showed up to Central Park Oct. 10 to discuss housing with provincial candidates. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Central Park meet-and-greet focuses on homelessness

Over a dozen Victoria-Beacon Hill residents showed up to discuss homelessness with candidates

Over a dozen unhoused people and North Park neighbourhood residents showed up to Central Park Oct. 10 to discuss housing with provincial candidates. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Overhead view of Centennial Square, from atop the Fisgard Street parkade. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)

LETTER: Victoria council members should resign over Centennial Square camping decision

Residents implored to remember how councillors voted for this issue come election time

  • Sep 18, 2020
Overhead view of Centennial Square, from atop the Fisgard Street parkade. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)
People who are homeless should be able to access emergency sheltering outside of the winter months, says Coun. Jeremy Loveday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Homeless need respite from wildfire smoke, says Victoria councillor

Councillor pushes for year-round emergency shelter access

People who are homeless should be able to access emergency sheltering outside of the winter months, says Coun. Jeremy Loveday. (Black Press Media file photo)
A tent in the Centennial Square encampment caught fire in June. City staff ordered the relocation of campers on Aug. 28. (@busdriverlife/Twitter)

Spreading out Centennial Square homeless can cause more problems: advocate

Victoria mayor says long-term solutions are needed for vulnerable population

A tent in the Centennial Square encampment caught fire in June. City staff ordered the relocation of campers on Aug. 28. (@busdriverlife/Twitter)
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Canadians between the ages of 15 and 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mental health challenges add to youth stress load

Part 2 in a Black Press series on Youth Homelessness

  • Aug 15, 2020
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Canadians between the ages of 15 and 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
A man walks through a homeless camp where approximately 150 people are living at a parking lot on Port of Vancouver property adjacent to Crab Park, in Vancouver on June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. announces creation of first-ever ‘navigation centre’ to help homeless

Residents referred to the navigation centre will be able to stay until longer-term housing is available

A man walks through a homeless camp where approximately 150 people are living at a parking lot on Port of Vancouver property adjacent to Crab Park, in Vancouver on June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The 2020 Point-in-Time Count found at least 1,523 people were experiencing homelessness in the CRD. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Greater Victoria Point-in-Time count finds over 1,500 people homeless

Capital Regional District says count should be treated as an underestimate

The 2020 Point-in-Time Count found at least 1,523 people were experiencing homelessness in the CRD. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
The Rosebowl Restaurant closed its doors at the end of June, 2020. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror

Restaurant to be converted into housing for people experiencing homelessness

BC Housing buys popular Campbell River eatery for $985,000 to serve as bridge housing

The Rosebowl Restaurant closed its doors at the end of June, 2020. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror
Police in Nanaimo are confiscating increasing numbers of weapons, manufactured and homemade, from street-entrenched people in Nanaimo. (Photo submitted)

RCMP express concerns about weapons seized on Nanaimo’s streets

Weapons confiscated include a ninja throwing star and a dagger concealed in a cane

Police in Nanaimo are confiscating increasing numbers of weapons, manufactured and homemade, from street-entrenched people in Nanaimo. (Photo submitted)
The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting enclosure. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Man found dead in his tent at Island homeless camp

Facebook posts tell of personal struggles and attempts to stay clean and sober

The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting enclosure. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Work begins on clearing an empty lot on Homewood Road to be used as a campsite for up to 25 socially-distanced tents to accommodate people dealing with homelessness in Campbell River. The plan, however, has been cancelled, the city announced May 26 one day after the clearing began. Photo by Alistair Taylor – Campbell River Mirror

Island city cancels plan for homeless camp; exploring alternative option

The plan heard strong objection from neighbouring residents and businesses

Work begins on clearing an empty lot on Homewood Road to be used as a campsite for up to 25 socially-distanced tents to accommodate people dealing with homelessness in Campbell River. The plan, however, has been cancelled, the city announced May 26 one day after the clearing began. Photo by Alistair Taylor – Campbell River Mirror
Fred Cameron stands among the harm reduction supplies that are handed out by SOLID Outreach to those living on Pandora Avenue. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Safe consumption plays critical part in Victoria’s temporary homeless shelters

So far, four hotels have been secured, along with 50 spots in the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

Fred Cameron stands among the harm reduction supplies that are handed out by SOLID Outreach to those living on Pandora Avenue. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
The homeless population is at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. B.C. Housing plans to use SEAPARC Leisure Complex as an emergency space for up to 45 homeless people needing to self-isolate during the coronvirus outbreak. (Kendra Crighton - Black Press Media)

Online petition launched against Sooke homeless shelter

Rec centre will be used as an emergency space for homeless needing to self-isolate

  • Apr 23, 2020
The homeless population is at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. B.C. Housing plans to use SEAPARC Leisure Complex as an emergency space for up to 45 homeless people needing to self-isolate during the coronvirus outbreak. (Kendra Crighton - Black Press Media)
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