Homelessness

Kelowna’s tent city garnered national attention after twee by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Poilievre’s depiction of Kelowna’s tent city ‘disappointing’, says safety director

‘This issue is one that cities across the province and in fact across the country’

 

Abbotsford Police Const. Zach Parker (left) and Const. Russell Alleman check on an occupant of the Lonzo Road encampment on Thursday, May 4. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

MLA calls on premier to address Abbotsford homeless camp issues

Bruce Banman and BC United Caucus allege Premier David Eby has ignored the situation

 

A public awareness campaign that seeks to promote dignity for community members experiencing homelessness launched May 23 in Surrey. Promotional materials are displayed at various sites around the city, including the North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex. (Tom Zillich photo)

Dignity Project encourages reflection on, awareness of homelessness in Surrey

Youth-led campaign to continue throughout summer

 

Abbotsford Police Const. Zach Parker (left) and Const. Russell Alleman check on an occupant of the Lonzo Road encampment on Thursday, May 4. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

‘It’s the Wild West in there’: Abbotsford homeless camp causes health and safety concerns

City bylaws don’t apply on ministry-owned Lonzo Road property

Abbotsford Police Const. Zach Parker (left) and Const. Russell Alleman check on an occupant of the Lonzo Road encampment on Thursday, May 4. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
Grainy video sent to Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove taken on Saturday, April 22, 2023 showing a Union Gospel Mission Vancouver van dropping off unhoused people in downtown Chilliwack. (Video screenshot)

LETTER: Union Gospel Mission president responds to Chilliwack mayor’s concerns about homeless dropoff

‘The bottom line is: We do not drop people off in Chilliwack (or anywhere) without a plan in place’

  • May 5, 2023
Grainy video sent to Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove taken on Saturday, April 22, 2023 showing a Union Gospel Mission Vancouver van dropping off unhoused people in downtown Chilliwack. (Video screenshot)
A new complex-care and supportive housing building in Green Timbers was unveiled April 21, 2022 at 9810 Foxglove Dr. in Surrey. The city’s mayor Brenda Locke says that she is looking for spaces in South Surrey to build another supportive housing unit since the community has a need for one. (Lauren Collins file photo)

‘There are humans on the street’: Supportive housing sites sought in South Surrey, White Rock

White Rock may not have warming centre for homeless next winter: mayor

A new complex-care and supportive housing building in Green Timbers was unveiled April 21, 2022 at 9810 Foxglove Dr. in Surrey. The city’s mayor Brenda Locke says that she is looking for spaces in South Surrey to build another supportive housing unit since the community has a need for one. (Lauren Collins file photo)
A man is seen inside his tent as police officers stand by while city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. A handful of homeless people set up tents overnight along a stretch of Vancouver’s Hastings Street that was cleared Wednesday in a co-ordinated effort by city officials and Vancouver police. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Eight sheltered but more spaces needed as Vancouver seeks rooms for displaced campers

Tents and suitcases tossed into garbage compactors as encampment dismantled

A man is seen inside his tent as police officers stand by while city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. A handful of homeless people set up tents overnight along a stretch of Vancouver’s Hastings Street that was cleared Wednesday in a co-ordinated effort by city officials and Vancouver police. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tents are seen on the sidewalk in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023.The City of Vancouver says it has asked police to help bring a tent encampment in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood to a close.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver police deployed to end tent encampment in city’s Downtown Eastside

Mayor: longer the street camp continues, the higher the odds more people will lose their lives

Tents are seen on the sidewalk in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023.The City of Vancouver says it has asked police to help bring a tent encampment in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood to a close.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Then-Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon answers questions from members of the media at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. The British Columbia government says it will be providing 330 new homes for people living on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside by the end of June. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Then-Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon answers questions from members of the media at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. The British Columbia government says it will be providing 330 new homes for people living on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside by the end of June. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A temporary shelter, built with umbrellas, serves as a dry place to sleep for one of the Peninsula’s unhoused residents. The issue of homeless people on the streets in White Rock cannot be solved simply by police or city intervention, the city’s chief administrative officer said during a recent council meeting. (Geoffrey Yue photo)

Being homeless ‘not a crime’ – White Rock CAO

Guillermo Ferrero speaks out on concerns regarding homeless population

A temporary shelter, built with umbrellas, serves as a dry place to sleep for one of the Peninsula’s unhoused residents. The issue of homeless people on the streets in White Rock cannot be solved simply by police or city intervention, the city’s chief administrative officer said during a recent council meeting. (Geoffrey Yue photo)
Tides of Change community action team co-chair George Passmore (centre) participated in the 2022 International Day of Overdose Awareness event last August in White Rock, along with (left to right): Priscilla Dutt, Ryan Nielson,  and Matt Huot. (File photo)

Peninsula drug crisis team emphasizes compassion

Tides of Change co-chair tells White Rock council users must be treated with dignity

Tides of Change community action team co-chair George Passmore (centre) participated in the 2022 International Day of Overdose Awareness event last August in White Rock, along with (left to right): Priscilla Dutt, Ryan Nielson,  and Matt Huot. (File photo)
Participants in a previous Coldest Night of the Year event pose for a photo near the Cloverdale Community Kitchen. (Photo submitted: Cloverdale Community Kitchen)

Cloverdale Community Kitchen cruising toward 2023 fundraising goal

Kitchen seeking to raise $250K as part of its Coldest Night of the Year charity walk

Participants in a previous Coldest Night of the Year event pose for a photo near the Cloverdale Community Kitchen. (Photo submitted: Cloverdale Community Kitchen)
Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

Kid Cupid: Young Abbotsford boy delivers love to the streets with Valentine’s Day bags

Suhaandeep Gill, 7, created thoughtful bags of much-needed items to give to three city shelters

Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
A report released on Jan. 16 details the complex issue of homelessness affecting Indigenous people in the city of Surrey. More needs to be done to meaningfully address homelessness in the city catered towards Indigenous people, which conductors of the report find a lack of. (File photo)

Indigenous people experiencing homelessness a growing, complex concern in Surrey

Trauma from residential schools, poverty and discrimination among issues faced by Indigenous people

A report released on Jan. 16 details the complex issue of homelessness affecting Indigenous people in the city of Surrey. More needs to be done to meaningfully address homelessness in the city catered towards Indigenous people, which conductors of the report find a lack of. (File photo)
Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)

Health officer pushes back as B.C. town tries to step around drug decriminalization

Campbell River rejects plea to wait six months before forging ahead with drug use ban bylaw

Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)
Toque Tuesday action at Surrey Civic Plaza in 2017. (File photo)

Game on: Toque Tuesday returns with road hockey at Surrey City Hall plaza, to help homeless

The goal is to have fun around a very serious subject, event organizer says

Toque Tuesday action at Surrey Civic Plaza in 2017. (File photo)
Surrey City Hall. (File photo)

Surrey appoints 2 councillors, city to recruit volunteers for Homelessness and Housing Society board

The board typically had 10 to 12 members, up until 2020 when the previous council reduced the number of serving directors to three city councillors

Surrey City Hall. (File photo)
Khristina (last name withheld), seen here at Salish Park on Jan. 18, 2023, from Saskatchewan comes to Chilliwack twice a year to find her son who is living on the streets, and to hand out supplies to homeless people. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

Saskatchewan cattle rancher visits Fraser Valley twice a year to find her homeless son

‘I spent time with him, and that has to be enough’

Khristina (last name withheld), seen here at Salish Park on Jan. 18, 2023, from Saskatchewan comes to Chilliwack twice a year to find her son who is living on the streets, and to hand out supplies to homeless people. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
Performer Blake Elliott presented a cheque for $10,000 from the ‘mister Blake foundation’ to Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry’s Bill Keyes in Abbotsford on Jan. 19. The ministry provides showers in a mobile unit to the unhoused, in partnership with other service providers in Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Mobile shower ministry gets big boost to continue work in Fraser Valley

Abbotsford-based group has provided 2,600 showers to people in need since 2019

Performer Blake Elliott presented a cheque for $10,000 from the ‘mister Blake foundation’ to Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry’s Bill Keyes in Abbotsford on Jan. 19. The ministry provides showers in a mobile unit to the unhoused, in partnership with other service providers in Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Dr. Andrew Boozary, a primary care physician and the Executive Director of Population Health and Social Medicine at the University Health Network (UHN) its photographed at a Stabilization & Connection site designed to help people who are unhoused, in Toronto, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

VIDEO: New hospital program helps Toronto’s homeless, cuts ambulance offload times

Stand-alone clinic provides space for people to recover from intoxication

Dr. Andrew Boozary, a primary care physician and the Executive Director of Population Health and Social Medicine at the University Health Network (UHN) its photographed at a Stabilization & Connection site designed to help people who are unhoused, in Toronto, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young