Homeless

A makeshift cold-weather camp that popped over Family Day long weekend in Parksville, located in the back parking lot of St. Anne’s church. (Mandy Moraes photo)

As snow falls on shelter-less B.C. town, woman builds her own makeshift homeless camp

‘There’s no doors open and these people are literally freezing’

 

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

 

The tents at the two remaining tent sites for the homeless in the Cowichan region are coming down and will be replaced by small wooden cabins. (File photo)

Cabins to go in at tenting sites for homeless in Duncan Friday

A total of 39 cabins are to be placed at two sites

 

The staff at Qualitown Thrift Store in Campbell River pose for a photograph. Every second and fourth monday of the month, they will be welcoming homeless people to come and take things that they need from the store. Binny Paul photo

’Ask and you shall receive,’ store says to homeless Vancouver Islanders

Campbell River thrift store offers free shopping for the homeless to deter theft

The staff at Qualitown Thrift Store in Campbell River pose for a photograph. Every second and fourth monday of the month, they will be welcoming homeless people to come and take things that they need from the store. Binny Paul photo
Katherine McParland was executive director of A Way Home Kamloops, a non-profit agency devoted to working on ending youth homelessness. McParland herself was homeless for a period of time after aging out of the foster system. Photograph By KTW FILE

Kamloops homeless advocate leaves defining legacy following death

The death of the executive director of A Way Home Kamloops is being mourned by the team at the agency

  • Dec 7, 2020
Katherine McParland was executive director of A Way Home Kamloops, a non-profit agency devoted to working on ending youth homelessness. McParland herself was homeless for a period of time after aging out of the foster system. Photograph By KTW FILE
Those looking for shelter at Warmland House may soon find that option limited as Warmland cuts capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo)

Warmland House in Duncan cutting back on shelter beds due to COVID

Decision a safety precaution during pandemic

Those looking for shelter at Warmland House may soon find that option limited as Warmland cuts capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo)
Our Home on 8th, the Port Alberni Shelter that opened in March 2019, has 27 extra ‘extreme weather’ spaces for people who need a place to get out of the cold. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

BC VOTES 2020: Mid-Island candidate plans occupation of shelter to protest homelessness

Graham Hughes says homeless situation a ‘crisis’ in Port Alberni

Our Home on 8th, the Port Alberni Shelter that opened in March 2019, has 27 extra ‘extreme weather’ spaces for people who need a place to get out of the cold. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
BC Housing has been asked to extend funding to keep the five tenting sites for the homeless in the Valley, including the one at Fuller Lake Arena that is pictured, in place until the 100 units of affordable housing that are planned for the region are completed. (File photo)

Officials look for smooth transition from tents to homes for Cowichan’s homeless

Modular housing could be in place within months

BC Housing has been asked to extend funding to keep the five tenting sites for the homeless in the Valley, including the one at Fuller Lake Arena that is pictured, in place until the 100 units of affordable housing that are planned for the region are completed. (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
Editorial: Inaction on homelessness costs money

Editorial: Inaction on homelessness costs money

The study determined that homeless people with mental illness generate high costs for society

Editorial: Inaction on homelessness costs money
The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot is one of the temporary sites housing the homeless. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Police receive minimal calls to homeless tenting sites

Officer attributes it to security and changed behaviour from COVID

The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot is one of the temporary sites housing the homeless. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting site remains in place until further notice. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Extension given for Cowichan region homeless tenting sites

Meeting with BC Housing to determine the next step

The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting site remains in place until further notice. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Eight people arrested in Victoria homeless camp after enforcement order issued

Eight people arrested in Victoria homeless camp after enforcement order issued

Those living in tents were given until May 20 to move indoors

Eight people arrested in Victoria homeless camp after enforcement order issued
Tents erected side-by-side in the Fuller Lake site enclosure for the homeless. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Resident concerns abundant over Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tent site

Theft, nearby trails only the beginning of alarm bells for those who live in the area

Tents erected side-by-side in the Fuller Lake site enclosure for the homeless. (Photo by Don Bodger)
This unused BMX track on Homewood Road will be used as a temporary campsite for people experiencing homelessness in Campbell River. Google image

Island city converting unused BMX track into temporary homeless campsite

The City of Campbell River is providing a site on an unused…

  • May 15, 2020
This unused BMX track on Homewood Road will be used as a temporary campsite for people experiencing homelessness in Campbell River. Google image
FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. (AP Photo)

B.C. gives smart phones to vulnerable, homeless to access services, connect with family

COVID-19 restrictions have left many public places closed, leaving people without access to internet

FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. (AP Photo)
Al Siebring, mayor of North Cowichan and a member of the COVID-19 Vulnerable Population Cowichan Task Force, said the locations for tent communities for the homeless should be announced this week. (File photo)

UPDATED: Fuller Lake Arena parking lot to be set up as temporary homeless tent site beginning Tuesday, May 19

Fuller Lake Arena parking lot under consideration

Al Siebring, mayor of North Cowichan and a member of the COVID-19 Vulnerable Population Cowichan Task Force, said the locations for tent communities for the homeless should be announced this week. (File photo)
A hundred tents have been spread out over Topaz Park. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

B.C. enacts provincial order to move homeless at 3 large encampments into hotels

Encampments will be dismantled, with temporary supportive housing in hotels, community centres

A hundred tents have been spread out over Topaz Park. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
The Cowichan Valley has been struggling with homelessness. (File photo)

Federal homeless funding heading to Cowichan

Funding of $291,450 in 2020-21 and $463,953 per year until 2023-2024

The Cowichan Valley has been struggling with homelessness. (File photo)
Homeless and underhoused people occupied Strathcona Elementary School demanding more housing amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, April 18. (Red Braid Alliance/Facebook)

Police arrest 14 people occupying empty Vancouver elementary school amid pandemic

Protesters were asking for housing during the COVID-19 crisis

Homeless and underhoused people occupied Strathcona Elementary School demanding more housing amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, April 18. (Red Braid Alliance/Facebook)