Homeless

Our Place Society and Cool Aid Society say COVID-19 cases among Victoria’s unhoused population have dropped since their peak at the end of September. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 cases fall, vaccination rates rise in Victoria’s unhoused population

Our Place says its cases dropped from 56 to 2 over 3 weeks

 

(Black Press file)

Judge reserves decision on Prince George homeless camps

Advocates want resolution as cold weather season approaches

 

Kendra Klausen (left) and Lauren Blakey prepare to hand out care packages to those in need at Topaz Park. (Photo courtesy of Kendra Klausen)

Good samaritan to hand out care packages for those in need at Topaz Park

Organizer of care packages said response has been far and wide, many reaching out to help

 

BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby jabs back against Penticton mayor’s ad urging BC Premier to intervene in shelter dispute

Eby writes that Penticton’s ‘serious’ social issues won’t improve under leadership of the mayor

BC Housing minister David Eby. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
A tenant starter kit will help newly housed people transition from a survival mindset to a secure, safe place where they can start planning ahead. (Photo courtesy of Our Place)

Tenant starter kits help support people moving into long-term homes in Victoria

For the formerly homeless, it takes more than just the new address to transition

A tenant starter kit will help newly housed people transition from a survival mindset to a secure, safe place where they can start planning ahead. (Photo courtesy of Our Place)
BC Housing ensures that by March 31, shelter will be available to all people living outside. (Black Press Media file photo)

All unhoused Victoria residents will be offered shelter by March 31, says BC Housing

BC Housing working to secure shelter locations in coming weeks

BC Housing ensures that by March 31, shelter will be available to all people living outside. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre has reopened with 45 shelter spots for people experiencing homelessness in Victoria. (Courtesy of Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)

Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre shelter in Victoria reopens with spots for 45 people

Arena is an interim step until long-term housing is found

The Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre has reopened with 45 shelter spots for people experiencing homelessness in Victoria. (Courtesy of Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)
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’

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)
Victoria non-profits opened more shelter spaces for those wanting indoor shelter during the ongoing cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)

More shelter spaces open for Victoria homeless during cold snap

Organizations collaborated, says Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness

Victoria non-profits opened more shelter spaces for those wanting indoor shelter during the ongoing cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)
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)
A social enterprise housing model for youth will put young residents in the driver’s seat of their experience. With a goal to have youth co-design the programs within the housing site. (Photo courtesy the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness)

Victoria youth-led housing project promotes security, opportunity

Programs to be designed by youth experiencing homelessness

A social enterprise housing model for youth will put young residents in the driver’s seat of their experience. With a goal to have youth co-design the programs within the housing site. (Photo courtesy the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness)
Volunteer ‘Bear’ and Anthony Bryan stand outside the new community services tent for unhoused people living in or near Beacon Hill Park. The tent was moved to its new location near Cook Street and Dallas Road on Saturday. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Community services tent returns, in new location near Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park

Homeless services tent installed on Cook Street

Volunteer ‘Bear’ and Anthony Bryan stand outside the new community services tent for unhoused people living in or near Beacon Hill Park. The tent was moved to its new location near Cook Street and Dallas Road on Saturday. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
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
Shea Smith is one of three creators of The Homeless Idea podcast. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Victoria podcasters talk homelessness first-hand

Three homeless Victoria residents created The Homeless Idea to give themselves a voice

Shea Smith is one of three creators of The Homeless Idea podcast. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Our Place Society is installing outdoor tents that will soon have propane heaters to help provide shelter in the coming winter months. (Courtesy of Grant McKenzie)

Outdoor warming tents installed outside Victoria Our Place Society

COVID-19 protocols will limit number of people allowed in each tent

Our Place Society is installing outdoor tents that will soon have propane heaters to help provide shelter in the coming winter months. (Courtesy of Grant McKenzie)
The Victoria Police Department arrested a man Nov. 3 after receiving reports that he had set a fire inside a Beacon Hill Park tent. (Black Press Media file photo)

VicPD arrests man who set fire in Beacon Hill tent

The man had previously been prohibited from entering Victoria parks

The Victoria Police Department arrested a man Nov. 3 after receiving reports that he had set a fire inside a Beacon Hill Park tent. (Black Press Media file photo)
Two Victoria councillors are bringing a motion to Thursday’s meeting in hopes of securing funding for free transit fare for Victoria’s unhoused community. (Black Press Media file photo)

Councillors seek free transit for Victoria’s homeless

Motion comes to council on Thursday

Two Victoria councillors are bringing a motion to Thursday’s meeting in hopes of securing funding for free transit fare for Victoria’s unhoused community. (Black Press Media file photo)
A community tent in Beacon Hill Park was set up in order to provide a safe, dry place for people who are living outside. (Facebook/Beverley Joy)

Beacon Hill Park’s unhoused install community tent as Victoria weather turns wet

Organizers say dry, safe place needed to replace unavailable shelter space

A community tent in Beacon Hill Park was set up in order to provide a safe, dry place for people who are living outside. (Facebook/Beverley Joy)
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)