Homelessness

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

 

A free pantry set up in uptown White Rock was found in pieces Tuesday (March 15, 2022). (White Rock Pantry Project Facebook photo)

White Rock ‘free pantry’ reduced to pile of rubble

‘It’s sad that somebody was in that state of mind’

 

(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)

 

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)
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
The Strengthening Communities’ Services Initiative will be studying homelessness in Hope, looking for solutions that help unsheltered people and the community they live in. (Black Press file)

Community consulation key to Hope’s homelessness project

The Strengthening Communities’ Services Initiative will seek feedback from local groups

The Strengthening Communities’ Services Initiative will be studying homelessness in Hope, looking for solutions that help unsheltered people and the community they live in. (Black Press file)
The old Abbotsford Visitor Info Centre on DeLair Road has been converted to a warming centre through Archway, upsetting neighbours in the busy area. (Jessica Peters/ Abbotsford News)

New warming centre in Abbotsford too close to home, say neighbours

Neighbours weren’t notified about DeLair Road centre, but community consultation is planned

The old Abbotsford Visitor Info Centre on DeLair Road has been converted to a warming centre through Archway, upsetting neighbours in the busy area. (Jessica Peters/ Abbotsford News)
The District of Hope will work with several community partners on a project studying and addressing homelessness. (Barry Stewart/Hope Standard)

Provincially-funded project to address homelessness in Hope

The District of Hope is partnering with several other groups, including the United Way

The District of Hope will work with several community partners on a project studying and addressing homelessness. (Barry Stewart/Hope Standard)
The Street Thug Barbers spent the Christmas weekend and beyond visiting homeless camps in Abbotsford, ensuring people had propane, food and fellowship. (Street Thug Barbers/ Facebook)

Helping homeless survive cold snap in Abbotsford a ‘desperate situation’

Churches and ministries worked overtime to ensure hundreds of people survived arctic outflow

The Street Thug Barbers spent the Christmas weekend and beyond visiting homeless camps in Abbotsford, ensuring people had propane, food and fellowship. (Street Thug Barbers/ Facebook)
Raising the Roof toques are $15, and there are also mask and toque packages available for $18. (raisingtheroof.org)

Abbotsford youth ambassadors selling toques to reduce homelessness

Students from Dasmesh Punjabi School volunteering with Raising the Roof

Raising the Roof toques are $15, and there are also mask and toque packages available for $18. (raisingtheroof.org)
Linda Marks (left) and Sarah Jane Franklin at the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board Realtors Care Blanket Drive, which was held Nov. 20 in Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope. (CADREB photo)

Chilliwack-area realtors collect blankets and clothing for people in need

The Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board Realtors Care Blanket Drive was held Nov. 20

Linda Marks (left) and Sarah Jane Franklin at the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board Realtors Care Blanket Drive, which was held Nov. 20 in Chilliwack, Agassiz and Hope. (CADREB 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
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

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

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