Homelessness

Agnes Thomas constructs a dream catcher at the Campbell River Art Gallery. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Agnes Thomas constructs a dream catcher at the Campbell River Art Gallery. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Conestoga hut is ‘cheap, quick, warm, good bed, in out of the rain, step up from a tent and secure,’ says Krista Loughton of Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Saanich hut showcases what shelter could look like

Conestoga huts a potential short-term solution toward housing

The Conestoga hut is ‘cheap, quick, warm, good bed, in out of the rain, step up from a tent and secure,’ says Krista Loughton of Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Brain injury endemic among homeless populations: Vancouver research

31% of those interviewed between Dec. 2016 and May 2018 reported at least one traumatic brain injury

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Homeless people in Sooke will receive a helping hand to find mental-health support, thanks to the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation. (File - Metro-Creative)

Grant benefits Sooke homeless with mental health support

Fund through Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation provides $5,000

Homeless people in Sooke will receive a helping hand to find mental-health support, thanks to the Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation. (File - Metro-Creative)
Extra shelter beds are opening up Thursday night (Jan. 27) at the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre on Johnson Street, due to the cold weather forecast for the region. (Black Press Media file photo)

Freezing forecast sees overnight shelter spaces added Thursday for Victoria, Sooke

Those experiencing homelessness can grab one of 30 spots available in Victoria, five in Sooke

Extra shelter beds are opening up Thursday night (Jan. 27) at the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre on Johnson Street, due to the cold weather forecast for the region. (Black Press Media file photo)
Nurse coordinator Katie Leahy (left) and physician Dr. Fraser Black, shown in a pre-pandemic photo, work with the Palliative Outreach Resource Team (PORT). A new partnership aims to enhance PORT’s efforts to increase access to medical supplies and care for people experiencing homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)

Partnership increasing access to medical resources for unhoused in Greater Victoria

Easier access to medical supplies and equipment provided through Palliative Outreach Resource Team

Nurse coordinator Katie Leahy (left) and physician Dr. Fraser Black, shown in a pre-pandemic photo, work with the Palliative Outreach Resource Team (PORT). A new partnership aims to enhance PORT’s efforts to increase access to medical supplies and care for people experiencing homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)
With freezing temperatures in the forecast, an extreme weather alert is in effect for Greater Victoria on Jan 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Freezing forecast sees overnight shelter spaces added in Victoria, Sooke

Those experiencing homelessness can grab one of 30 spots available in Victoria, five in Sooke

With freezing temperatures in the forecast, an extreme weather alert is in effect for Greater Victoria on Jan 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
The City of Nanaimo dismantled an encampment of people experiencing homelessness in a downtown parkade last week. (Photo courtesy Risebridge)

Non-profit tries to provide warmth for Nanaimo unhoused after encampment dismantled

Risebridge operating warming centre downtown, asking for support and advocacy

The City of Nanaimo dismantled an encampment of people experiencing homelessness in a downtown parkade last week. (Photo courtesy Risebridge)
The Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives team of Jeremy Caradonna, Matt Dell, Rob Reid, Calen McNeil, and Krista Loughton are looking for a site to place their inaugural Conestoga Hut. (Photo courtesy Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives)

Cash raised for hut, now Victoria group seeks church parking space to house homeless

Region suffers lack of emergency winter shelter spaces due to staffing shortages

The Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives team of Jeremy Caradonna, Matt Dell, Rob Reid, Calen McNeil, and Krista Loughton are looking for a site to place their inaugural Conestoga Hut. (Photo courtesy Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives)
A person experiencing homelessness walks past Our Place Society on Jan. 14, 2020. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Three Victoria shelters offer homeless refuge into New Year amid snowfall

Following an Extreme Weather Alert issued by the Government of Canada on Dec. 24.

A person experiencing homelessness walks past Our Place Society on Jan. 14, 2020. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Downtown Victoria resident Alex is an example of someone who could benefit from a hut on private land, with the ability to lock up his belongings. (Video by Krista Loughton)

Grassroots collective starts with $4,000 goal for 1 hut for 1 unhoused Victoria resident

Community Alliance for Sheltering Alternatives seeking private land to house future huts

Downtown Victoria resident Alex is an example of someone who could benefit from a hut on private land, with the ability to lock up his belongings. (Video by Krista Loughton)
Spectators watch the waves at Ogden Point in Victoria during a recent wind storm. With heavy winds expected Friday night, the Salvation Army’s ARC in downtown Victoria will have additional overnight mats available.	(Black Press Media file photo)

Extra overnight mats open to Victoria’s homeless, with heavy winds expected Friday

Wind gusts up to 80 km/h forecast for Friday night, into Saturday this weekend

Spectators watch the waves at Ogden Point in Victoria during a recent wind storm. With heavy winds expected Friday night, the Salvation Army’s ARC in downtown Victoria will have additional overnight mats available.	(Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria will now provide daytime warming centres for those experiencing homelessness, during extreme weather events this winter. Victoria’s homeless population struggles with the winter weather in this photo taken in January 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

Daytime warming centres to now open for Victoria homeless during emergency weather events

Goal is to prevent death, injury caused from exposure to the harsh elements

Victoria will now provide daytime warming centres for those experiencing homelessness, during extreme weather events this winter. Victoria’s homeless population struggles with the winter weather in this photo taken in January 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Sanctuary Youth Centre in Victoria is open weekends for youth at risk. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Victoria sanctuary offers youth safe, dry space and room to build relationships

Sanctuary Youth Centre open to youth at risk Fridays through Sundays

The Sanctuary Youth Centre in Victoria is open weekends for youth at risk. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Kayla Garcia walks her dogs daily at Dry Creek Park, and says she finds drug paraphernalia and other garbage in the park every day. She is concerned pop-up warming centres will add to the problem. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Warming centres cause some concern for neighbours in Port Alberni

Grassroots Homelessness Coalition will provide pop-up outdoor warming places for city’s unsheltered

Kayla Garcia walks her dogs daily at Dry Creek Park, and says she finds drug paraphernalia and other garbage in the park every day. She is concerned pop-up warming centres will add to the problem. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
A Walk With Me tour starts in from Spirit Square in downtown Campbell River on Oct. 23, 2021. Photo by Sean Feagan / Campbell River Mirror.

VIDEO: Walk With Me sheds light on toxic drug crisis in downtown Campbell River

Downtown audio walking tour shares stories of those affected

A Walk With Me tour starts in from Spirit Square in downtown Campbell River on Oct. 23, 2021. Photo by Sean Feagan / Campbell River Mirror.
Alice Sam, left, Graham Hughes and Lisa George (holding Hughes’ puppy Riot) volunteer at a nighttime ‘pop-up’ warming centre at a city-owned parking lot on Fourth Avenue, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. The temporary warming shelter included two propane firepits, food, warm drinks, Naloxone and hygiene kits. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

City of Port Alberni OKs outdoor warming centres this winter

Pop-up warming centres were successful in 2020, 2021

Alice Sam, left, Graham Hughes and Lisa George (holding Hughes’ puppy Riot) volunteer at a nighttime ‘pop-up’ warming centre at a city-owned parking lot on Fourth Avenue, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. The temporary warming shelter included two propane firepits, food, warm drinks, Naloxone and hygiene kits. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health confirms positive COVID-19 cases among community facing homelessness

Call for the return of proper isolation spaces in hotels and shelters

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

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