Homelessness

Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 cases confirmed inside Greater Victoria supportive housing community

Island Health officials call for the return of proper isolation spaces in hotels and shelters

 

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

 

The City of Nanaimo has received $2.5 million in joint provincial-federal funding for homelessness response during the pandemic. (News Bulletin file photo)

City of Nanaimo receives $2.5 million to help with homelessness response

City can use money to recoup costs of existing programs

 

Parksville-Qualicum’s point-in-time homelessness count tallied 87 people experiencing homelessness between Nanoose Bay and Bowser. (Black Press file photo)

Homelessness count more than doubles in Parksville-Qualicum Beach

87 individuals experiencing homelessness counted in 2021, up from 42 in 2018

  • Aug 9, 2021
Parksville-Qualicum’s point-in-time homelessness count tallied 87 people experiencing homelessness between Nanoose Bay and Bowser. (Black Press file 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
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

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)
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

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)
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

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