Homelessness

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

 

Mission RCMP speak with a woman experiencing homelessness who found some shade in front of a local daycare. (Kevin Mills/Mission City Record)

Province to spend $12.3 million to develop 50 new modular homes in Mission

Mission Community Services Society to operate facility, $1.4 million to be provided annually

 

Joseph Sikora (far right) and his team of Street Thug Barbers deliver food to the homeless population in Abbotsford. (Submitted photo)

Abbotsford ‘haircut ministry’ provides food and hygiene to homeless population

Joseph Sikora and his Street Thug Barbers take to the streets

 

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
Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.

Mom pleads for information about son’s killing at Abbotsford homeless camp

Robert Nelson, 35, described as ‘man who stood for justice, honour, respect’

Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.
Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford's Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. She gave an update on the pending investigation into her brother's death. John Morrow photos.

IIO report, stalled investigations frustrating sister of Abbotsford activist slain by RCMP

Barry Shantz was killed by RCMP officers during mental-health crisis on Jan. 13, 2020

Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford's Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. She gave an update on the pending investigation into her brother's death. John Morrow photos.
Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford’s Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

IIO report, stalled investigations frustrate sister of Abbotsford activist slain by RCMP

Barry Shantz was killed by RCMP officers during mental-health crisis on Jan. 13, 2020

Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford’s Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)
Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)

VIDEO: Man sets off fireworks next to homeless person’s cart in Fraser Valley

No police reports made into incident shared on social media

Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Former Vancouver hotel to be converted to 65 units for homeless people by the fall

The former Days Inn on Kingsway will be ready to house people in November

Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Mission firefighters approaching the homeless camp after dragging firehoses across the tracks. Patrick Penner / Mission Record.

Homeless-camp fire in Mission shuts down CP Rail line

Man seen being taken away from camp in handcuffs by Mission RCMP

Mission firefighters approaching the homeless camp after dragging firehoses across the tracks. Patrick Penner / Mission Record.
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Same day well-known Chilliwack homeless man gets shelter built he is taken to hospital

Fraser Health doctor sent to assess James ordered him brought to CGH for proper assessment

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Homeless man says ‘thank you’ to Chilliwack firefighters for building him a shelter

City of Chilliwack received several calls this week from people concerned about James’ safety

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Patti MacAhonic, executive director with Ann Davis Transition Society, and fellow staff member, Mary Jones, are getting ready for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Feb. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

‘Coldest Night’ walk to raise money for homeless, vulnerable women and children in Fraser Valley

This year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk benefitting Chilliwack’s Ann Davis Transition Society

Patti MacAhonic, executive director with Ann Davis Transition Society, and fellow staff member, Mary Jones, are getting ready for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Feb. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
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
Alexis Stollings watches as Sharon Reeder donates plastic bags to the ‘Mats for a Cause Chilliwack’ effort to weave sleeping mats for the homeless in Chilliwack. (Darren Stollings photo)

B.C. teen launches project to weave sleeping mats for the homeless

Mats for a Cause Chilliwack was created by youth who is seeking donations in plastic-bag drive

Alexis Stollings watches as Sharon Reeder donates plastic bags to the ‘Mats for a Cause Chilliwack’ effort to weave sleeping mats for the homeless in Chilliwack. (Darren Stollings photo)
Architectural renderings of a proposed 52-unit supportive housing building, which BC Housing has proposed to be built on their 650 Old Hope Princeton Way property. (BC Housing photo)

BC Housing provides mayor and council with details on supportive housing plans

Local politicians were able to ask BC Housing reps for details during two days of public hearings

Architectural renderings of a proposed 52-unit supportive housing building, which BC Housing has proposed to be built on their 650 Old Hope Princeton Way property. (BC Housing photo)
A past extreme weather response shelter set up for women inside Surrey’s Nightshift Street Ministries. (Photo: Chris Paul/nightshiftministries.org)

Homeless people in Surrey face ‘shocking and scary’ scenario this winter

Last winter there were nine Extreme Weather Response shelters in all of Surrey and White Rock. So far, during this pandemic, there are only five lined up for the coming winter

A past extreme weather response shelter set up for women inside Surrey’s Nightshift Street Ministries. (Photo: Chris Paul/nightshiftministries.org)
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 number of homeless individuals in the Fraser Valley went up significantly in three years. (Chilliwack Progress file)

Pandemic puts pressure on communities already challenged by homelessness

Final results of 2020 homeless count to assist governments trying to address housing issues

The number of homeless individuals in the Fraser Valley went up significantly in three years. (Chilliwack Progress file)
A homeless camp on Gladys Avenue in Abbotsford in 2013 is the subject of a complaint that will proceed to a hearing of the Human Rights Tribunal. (Abbotsford News file photo)

Human-rights complaint by 5 homeless men in Abbotsford will proceed to hearing

Issues occurred in 2013 around time of infamous manure-spreading incident

A homeless camp on Gladys Avenue in Abbotsford in 2013 is the subject of a complaint that will proceed to a hearing of the Human Rights Tribunal. (Abbotsford News file photo)