Homelessness

A Nanaimo man, experiencing homelessness, sustained serious injuries after he was intentionally run over with a vehicle, and his daughter is setting up a trust fund to help with his recovery. (GoFundMe image)

Fundraiser benefits man experiencing homelessness who was purposely struck by motorist in Nanaimo

Kayleen Salter creating a trust fund to help with her father’s recovery

 

Outreach workers Bayley Russell, left, Hannah Jorgenson, Alisa Everitt, RCMP Const. Josh Waltman and outreach worker Jenny Garceau are part of the Happy Feet 9-11 initiative team collecting and distributing donated running shoes to people in Nanaimo who are experiencing homelessness. (Photo submitted)

Happy Feet program gathers donated shoes for Nanaimo’s less fortunate

RCMP and outreach workers collecting gently used running shoes for people experiencing homelessness

 

Residents with pets can move into housing such as these tiny homes near Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Victoria area homeless pet trends bucking expectations

No increased influx of animals as people move from parks to housing in Victoria: BC SPCA

 

A motion heading to Victoria council’s committee-of-the-whole this Thursday (June 3) aims to prohibit sheltering in Beacon Hill Park for two years. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria considering two-year camping ban in Beacon Hill Park

Motion on June 3 agenda calls for park rehabilitation period in wake of intensive camping

A motion heading to Victoria council’s committee-of-the-whole this Thursday (June 3) aims to prohibit sheltering in Beacon Hill Park for two years. (Black Press Media file photo)
The United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island and the Nanaimo Homeless Coalition are directing $775,000 in federal Reaching Home funding to combat homelessness. (News Bulletin file photo)

Federal government directs $775,000 to address homelessness in Nanaimo

United Way and Nanaimo Homeless Coalition administer Reaching Home funding

The United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island and the Nanaimo Homeless Coalition are directing $775,000 in federal Reaching Home funding to combat homelessness. (News Bulletin file photo)
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)
An artist’s rendering of a 59-unit supportive housing building that will be constructed on Nicol Street. (S2 Architecture image)

Construction about to start on 59-unit permanent supportive housing in Nanaimo

Groundbreaking ceremony held at 702 Nicol St.

An artist’s rendering of a 59-unit supportive housing building that will be constructed on Nicol Street. (S2 Architecture image)
The former Discontent City tent camp on Nanaimo’s waterfront, one of a series of homeless encampments that have been set up and dismantled in the city in recent years. (News Bulletin file photo)

OPINION: Nanaimo’s homeless population needs living options

Without designated living spaces, unsanctioned encampments will keep being set up, says columnist

The former Discontent City tent camp on Nanaimo’s waterfront, one of a series of homeless encampments that have been set up and dismantled in the city in recent years. (News Bulletin file photo)
Workers erect fences around Italian Square Park Thursday morning, after city bylaws officers and police asked people experiencing homelessness to move out. Jake Rudolph, Nanaimo’s chief administrative officer, said a growing congregation of people camping overnight in the park prompted complaints that spurred the city to take action. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

City of Nanaimo fences off downtown park due to people experiencing homelessness

Complaints about gatherings, overnight camping and safety concerns trigger city response

Workers erect fences around Italian Square Park Thursday morning, after city bylaws officers and police asked people experiencing homelessness to move out. Jake Rudolph, Nanaimo’s chief administrative officer, said a growing congregation of people camping overnight in the park prompted complaints that spurred the city to take action. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The cold-weather camp at a Parksville church’s parking lot, that was set up Feb. 15, was disassembled and asked to relocate by the church on Feb. 18. (Mandy Moraes photo)

B.C. Housing announces eight-bed winter shelter now available in Parksville

Makeshift cold-weather camp has been disbanded

The cold-weather camp at a Parksville church’s parking lot, that was set up Feb. 15, was disassembled and asked to relocate by the church on Feb. 18. (Mandy Moraes photo)
Smoke billows from under the Pearson Bridge on Terminal Avenue in Nanaimo after a propane tank ignited and started a fire in a shelter in a homeless encampment under the bridge on fire Wednesday, Feb. 17. (Photo courtesy Chris Jeffs)

Propane tank mishap burns homeless shelter under a bridge in Nanaimo

No known injuries or damage to the bridge after fire Wednesday, Feb. 17

Smoke billows from under the Pearson Bridge on Terminal Avenue in Nanaimo after a propane tank ignited and started a fire in a shelter in a homeless encampment under the bridge on fire Wednesday, Feb. 17. (Photo courtesy Chris Jeffs)
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)
Workers delivered the first wooden cabins last month to replace the tents at a tent site for people experiencing homelessness in the Cowichan Valley. (Black Press file photo)

City of Nanaimo looking at setting up tiny cabins for people experiencing homelessness

Council asks for staff report after learning about Cowichan’s emergency accommodation program

Workers delivered the first wooden cabins last month to replace the tents at a tent site for people experiencing homelessness in the Cowichan Valley. (Black Press file photo)
Regional District of Nanaimo directors approved a motion last week to write to the B.C. Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions asking “adequate levels of treatment, recovery, detox and after-care facilities,” among other requests. (News Bulletin file)

Regional District of Nanaimo asking for addictions and detox help from B.C. government

More than supportive housing is needed to tackle homelessness crisis, say RDN directors

Regional District of Nanaimo directors approved a motion last week to write to the B.C. Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions asking “adequate levels of treatment, recovery, detox and after-care facilities,” among other requests. (News Bulletin file)
The Coldest Night of the Year walk will be a little different in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions, taking place throughout the month of February. Violet Hayes, Island Crisis Care Society executive director, Richard Powell, director of development and Elspeth Erickson, resource development coordinator hope people will participate. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo’s Coldest Night of the Year walk will take place over a month

People asked to take part in Island Crisis Care Society fundraiser while socially distanced

The Coldest Night of the Year walk will be a little different in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions, taking place throughout the month of February. Violet Hayes, Island Crisis Care Society executive director, Richard Powell, director of development and Elspeth Erickson, resource development coordinator hope people will participate. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
The City of Nanaimo’s Community Services Building at 285 Prideaux St., where the 7-10 Club is located, will host a warming centre seven days a week through March 31. (City of Nanaimo photo)

Warming centres for people experiencing homelessness open today in Nanaimo

City of Nanaimo and social agencies partnering on Wallace and Prideaux locations

The City of Nanaimo’s Community Services Building at 285 Prideaux St., where the 7-10 Club is located, will host a warming centre seven days a week through March 31. (City of Nanaimo photo)
The Wesley Street encampment earlier this fall. (News Bulletin file photo)

‘Unsafe and unlawful:’ City of Nanaimo report says Wesley Street camp was no longer sustainable

Bylaws report describes ‘disorder, conflict, violence, frequent overdoses’ at homeless camp

The Wesley Street encampment earlier this fall. (News Bulletin file photo)
People experiencing homelessness in Bowen Park last week. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo’s health and housing task force presents action plan to address homelessness

Draft action plan calls for 635 new program and housing spaces at a cost of $65.5 million

People experiencing homelessness in Bowen Park last week. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Protesters including Mercedes Courtoreille march to Nanaimo City Hall following a rally Tuesday at Maffeo Sutton Park by the Wesley Warriors, a group of former residents of the Wesley Strip homeless encampment that was dismantled after a fire in the camp destroyed several tents. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

‘Wesley Warriors’ criticize City of Nanaimo for bulldozing camp

Former occupants of the Wesley Street encampment and advocates hold rally and march

Protesters including Mercedes Courtoreille march to Nanaimo City Hall following a rally Tuesday at Maffeo Sutton Park by the Wesley Warriors, a group of former residents of the Wesley Strip homeless encampment that was dismantled after a fire in the camp destroyed several tents. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Emergency personnel and city officials at the scene of a fire on Wesley Street last Thursday. Nanaimo city council members were asked about housing and homelessness spending at a town hall meeting Monday. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo citizens ask about housing and homelessness at budget-focused town hall meeting

E-town hall meeting was held Monday as public engagement component of financial planning process

Emergency personnel and city officials at the scene of a fire on Wesley Street last Thursday. Nanaimo city council members were asked about housing and homelessness spending at a town hall meeting Monday. (News Bulletin file photo)