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
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
(BLACK PRESS FILE PHOTO)

LETTER: Province of B.C. needs to step up to deal with homelessness

Alberni-Clayoquot health region’s high numbers are too high, says writer

(BLACK PRESS FILE PHOTO)
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 best way to talk about them is not on Facebook it’s just to have one in your village and you can go check it out,’ says Victoria resident Matt Dell 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 best way to talk about them is not on Facebook it’s just to have one in your village and you can go check it out,’ says Victoria resident Matt Dell 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
Cathy Jensen, seated, from Abbeyfield House and Rosemarie Buchanan, a board member, donate handmade blankets to Capt. Michael Ramsay of the Salvation Army. The blankets will go to people who need to keep warm this winter. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Knitters in Port Alberni make warm gesture for those in need

A thrift store find was transformed into blankets with help from Abbeyfield House resident

Cathy Jensen, seated, from Abbeyfield House and Rosemarie Buchanan, a board member, donate handmade blankets to Capt. Michael Ramsay of the Salvation Army. The blankets will go to people who need to keep warm this winter. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)

Vancouver Island author pens children’s book on homelessness

Nanaimo’s Lois Peterson to bring latest book ‘Shelter’ on virtual classroom tour

Nanaimo children’s author Lois Peterson’s latest book is ‘Shelter: Homelessness in our Community.’ (Photo courtesy Louroo Photography)
Kayla Garcia walks her dogs daily at Dry Creek Park, and says she finds drug paraphernalia and other garbage in the park every day. She is concerned pop-up warming centres will add to the problem. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Warming centres cause some concern for neighbours in Port Alberni

Grassroots Homelessness Coalition will provide pop-up outdoor warming places for city’s unsheltered

Kayla Garcia walks her dogs daily at Dry Creek Park, and says she finds drug paraphernalia and other garbage in the park every day. She is concerned pop-up warming centres will add to the problem. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Alice Sam, left, Graham Hughes and Lisa George (holding Hughes’ puppy Riot) volunteer at a nighttime ‘pop-up’ warming centre at a city-owned parking lot on Fourth Avenue, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. The temporary warming shelter included two propane firepits, food, warm drinks, Naloxone and hygiene kits. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

City of Port Alberni OKs outdoor warming centres this winter

Pop-up warming centres were successful in 2020, 2021

Alice Sam, left, Graham Hughes and Lisa George (holding Hughes’ puppy Riot) volunteer at a nighttime ‘pop-up’ warming centre at a city-owned parking lot on Fourth Avenue, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. The temporary warming shelter included two propane firepits, food, warm drinks, Naloxone and hygiene kits. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 cases confirmed inside Greater Victoria supportive housing community

Island Health officials call for the return of proper isolation spaces in hotels and shelters

Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)
Regional Chief Terry Teegee speaks to the press after Premier John Horgan announced Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria on October 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Prince George bylaw targeting homeless people ‘scapegoats’ the poor, says expert

Municipality criticized for using harsh regulations to force street people from public spaces

Regional Chief Terry Teegee speaks to the press after Premier John Horgan announced Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria on October 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Homeless counts took place across 16 communities in B.C. in 2020 and 2021. (File photo)

Homeless count reveals 125 without housing in Port Alberni

Data shows “higher proportion” of people experiencing health concerns

Homeless counts took place across 16 communities in B.C. in 2020 and 2021. (File photo)
Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Where will homelessness rise or fall? A federally funded AI has some predictions

Helpseeker says numbers should help policy-makers decide on where to put resources

Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A Nanaimo man, experiencing homelessness, sustained serious injuries after he was intentionally run over with a vehicle, and his daughter is setting up a trust fund to help with his recovery. (GoFundMe image)

Fundraiser benefits man experiencing homelessness who was purposely struck by motorist in Nanaimo

Daughter creating a trust fund to help her father as he recovers

A Nanaimo man, experiencing homelessness, sustained serious injuries after he was intentionally run over with a vehicle, and his daughter is setting up a trust fund to help with his recovery. (GoFundMe image)
Residents with pets can move into housing such as these tiny homes near Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Victoria area homeless pet trends bucking expectations

No increased influx of animals as people move from parks to housing in Victoria: BC SPCA

Residents with pets can move into housing such as these tiny homes near Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)