homeless housing

3:59 a.m. - Usually bustling with life, Courtenay’s Connect Centre stands lifeless, hosting more than double its capacity as the region experiences its coldest night of the year. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

Out cold: Spending the coldest night of the year with Courtenay’s homeless

On the night of Jan.11, the temperature in the Comox Valley plummeted…

 

The Comox Valley is bracing for severe weather on Thursday night (Jan. 11), with temperatures expected to plummet to -12 C. Meanwhile, the region is still waiting to see the opening of an emergency weather shelter for its unhoused population. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP)

Still no winter shelter as record-breaking cold set to strike Comox Valley

Emergency Warming Centre scheduled to open at Courtenay’s Native Sons Hall on the night of Jan. 11

 

West Shore RCMP have seen a spike in the number of calls about the unhoused population at Danbrook Dog Park in Langford. (Tanara Oliveira/News Staff)

Victoria has some of the highest numbers of unhoused deaths in B.C.: report

BC Coroners Service issues new report

 

Dominic Rockall (centre), executive director of the Clements Centre for Families, is working with clients Jonathon Harry (left) and Emerson Harry (right) try and keep roofs over their heads during the ongoing housing crisis. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

‘Unthinkable’: homelessness hits those with developmental disabilities

Advocates push for more support

Dominic Rockall (centre), executive director of the Clements Centre for Families, is working with clients Jonathon Harry (left) and Emerson Harry (right) try and keep roofs over their heads during the ongoing housing crisis. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
All but one camper has been removed from an illegal trailer park in the 3600-block of Fourth Avenue in Port Alberni. Randy Brown and others were busy Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 cleaning up garbage on the site. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Owner removes trailers from illegal Vancouver Island trailer park

Property has been subject of bylaw infractions, court orders since 2020

All but one camper has been removed from an illegal trailer park in the 3600-block of Fourth Avenue in Port Alberni. Randy Brown and others were busy Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 cleaning up garbage on the site. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The completion of BC Housing’s supportive housing project on White Road in Duncan has been delayed again after the construction company responsible for it filed for bankruptcy. (BC Housing graphic)

Supportive housing project in Duncan delayed again

Construction company declared bankruptcy

The completion of BC Housing’s supportive housing project on White Road in Duncan has been delayed again after the construction company responsible for it filed for bankruptcy. (BC Housing graphic)
An example of the tiny homes that the City of Kelowna and BC Housing will be building at three locations in the city to support individuals who are experiencing homelessness. (Gary Barnes/Captial News)

PHOTOS: Protesters show up at Kelowna homeless housing announcement

‘The need for shelter and housing solutions in our community has never been greater’

An example of the tiny homes that the City of Kelowna and BC Housing will be building at three locations in the city to support individuals who are experiencing homelessness. (Gary Barnes/Captial News)
A makeshift shelter sits among the landscaping of the Courtenay City Hall parking lot, with the Connect Centre in the background. The Connect Centre is a safe haven for the homeless. (File photo)

Comox Valley facing severe shortage of shelter options as winter looms

Nearly 80 per cent of area’s homeless population would be without a bed in case of an emergency

A makeshift shelter sits among the landscaping of the Courtenay City Hall parking lot, with the Connect Centre in the background. The Connect Centre is a safe haven for the homeless. (File photo)
Inside one of the rooms at Royal Crescent supportive housing in Maple Ridge. (Special to The News)

Review of troubled supportive housing in Maple Ridge finds more mental health issues

Report makes recommendations about staff training, security, medical attention

Inside one of the rooms at Royal Crescent supportive housing in Maple Ridge. (Special to The News)
WeCan Shelter Society co-founder Charlene Davis came up with the idea a few years ago to repurpose sea containers into houses for the unhoused population of the Comox Valley. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)

VIDEO: Comox Valley non-profit builds shelters out of sea containers for the unhoused

‘We intend to carry on until we have a reason to not’: WeCan Shelter Society chairperson Charlene Davis

WeCan Shelter Society co-founder Charlene Davis came up with the idea a few years ago to repurpose sea containers into houses for the unhoused population of the Comox Valley. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
People who experience homelessness in Kelowna often sleep in doorways of businesses on the city’s main downtown street, Bernard Avenue. (David Venn - Kelowna Capital News)

Kelowna’s tent city garners national attention after Poilievre tweet

Pierre Poilievre tweeted a video of a designated homeless encampment in Kelowna

People who experience homelessness in Kelowna often sleep in doorways of businesses on the city’s main downtown street, Bernard Avenue. (David Venn - Kelowna Capital News)
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

B.C. to provide 330 new homes for people living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Homes promised by end of June

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
Some residents of the temporary supportive housing at the VIP Motel in Parksville, also known as Ocean Place, are concerned where they will go after the facility closes its doors March 31. Pictured is Helen Hiltunen. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Parksville temporary housing facility residents protest upcoming closure

Compliance agreement for VIP Motel between the city and BC Housing ends March 31

Some residents of the temporary supportive housing at the VIP Motel in Parksville, also known as Ocean Place, are concerned where they will go after the facility closes its doors March 31. Pictured is Helen Hiltunen. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Shelter residents worry as BC Housing seeks new operator in Port Alberni

Select tender issued for new service provider at Our Home on Eighth

BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Residents at the VIP Motel temporary housing are concerned the facility will close its doors on March 31.(PQB News file photo)

Residents and staff worry as deadline to close Parksville temporary housing looms

BC Housing says it is working with community partners on a solution for VIP Motel situation

Residents at the VIP Motel temporary housing are concerned the facility will close its doors on March 31.(PQB News file photo)
Bylaw officers removing personal belongings including tents and blankets from an encampment at Stradacona Park on Feb. 4 at 7:30 a.m. (Courtesy of Trent Smith)

‘An invasion’: Victoria homeless decry city and cops confiscating tents, food

Trent Smith, who is living homeless in Victoria said bylaw officers will take belongings arbitrarily

Bylaw officers removing personal belongings including tents and blankets from an encampment at Stradacona Park on Feb. 4 at 7:30 a.m. (Courtesy of Trent Smith)
Rainbow House or by the Kwak’wala word Gukwas sa Wagalus, and is the first of its kind in the country. Photo by Ali Roddam

Vancouver Island 2SLGBTQ+ youth housing project will be the first of its kind in Canada

Gukwas sa Wagalus or Rainbow House first of its kind in Canada

  • Jan 25, 2023
Rainbow House or by the Kwak’wala word Gukwas sa Wagalus, and is the first of its kind in the country. Photo by Ali Roddam
BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

BC Housing terminates contract with Port Alberni Shelter Society over shelter

Shelter will remain open, new operator will be chosen by March, BC Housing officials say

BC Housing won’t be renewing the Port Alberni Shelter Society’s contract to operate Our Home on Eighth shelter. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Anawim House director Terry Edison-Brown speaks at their WE fundraiser at Laurel Point Inn. (Courtesy of Christian J. Stewart Photography)

Victoria’s Anawim House raises over $340,000 for home for at-risk women

The new residence is scheduled to be open next spring

Anawim House director Terry Edison-Brown speaks at their WE fundraiser at Laurel Point Inn. (Courtesy of Christian J. Stewart Photography)
Oceanside Community Church. (Photo via Google Maps)

Parksville pastor concerned over lack of permanent cold-weather shelter

Oceanside Community Church hosted shelter last winter from Dec. 27 to Jan. 3

Oceanside Community Church. (Photo via Google Maps)