Homelessness

Mail service that was previously suspended due to safety concerns over a homeless encampment on Quinsam Road has been resumed. Photo by Mike Davies/Campbell River Mirror

Tent city gone, mail service resumes for Campbell River neighbourhood

Canada Post suspended service due to safety concerns surrounding homeless encampment

Mail service that was previously suspended due to safety concerns over a homeless encampment on Quinsam Road has been resumed. Photo by Mike Davies/Campbell River Mirror
A sign posted by the City of Parksville which details the intent to clean Mark’s Nature Park on Nov. 9. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Campers in Parksville nature park cleared out by bylaw officials

Notice given six days in advance

A sign posted by the City of Parksville which details the intent to clean Mark’s Nature Park on Nov. 9. (Mandy Moraes photo)
In March 2020, more than 1,500 people were homeless in Victoria, according to a survey by the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. (Black Press Media file photo)

Housing, homelessness and affordability top concerns in Greater Victoria: Vital Signs report

2020 report sees drop in ratings for housing, newcomer opportunities

In March 2020, more than 1,500 people were homeless in Victoria, according to a survey by the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. (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)
Graham Hughes, front, who ran as an independent candidate in the B.C. provincial election, sits with half a dozen supporters in front of Our Home on Eighth shelter, where Hughes is protesting the way homelessness has been dealt with in Port Alberni, on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Protesters occupy Port Alberni’s shelter

Former election candidate leads sit-in outside to protest homelessness

Graham Hughes, front, who ran as an independent candidate in the B.C. provincial election, sits with half a dozen supporters in front of Our Home on Eighth shelter, where Hughes is protesting the way homelessness has been dealt with in Port Alberni, on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Campbell River RCMP. RCMP photo

RCMP investigating trailer fire at Campbell River homeless camp

No one injured as a result of the fire

Campbell River RCMP. RCMP photo
Steve at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Parksville, which played an important role in his accessing other services in the area. (Auren Ruvinsky photo)

Homelessness in Parksville Qualicum Beach: Don’t assume anything

Oct. 11-17 is Homelessness Action Week

Steve at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Parksville, which played an important role in his accessing other services in the area. (Auren Ruvinsky photo)
A point-in-time count tallied 433 people experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)

Homelessness count gives City of Nanaimo clearer picture of the issue

Agencies involved with this year’s point-in-time count present data to city council

A point-in-time count tallied 433 people experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)
People who are homeless should be able to access emergency sheltering outside of the winter months, says Coun. Jeremy Loveday. (Black Press Media file photo)

Homeless need respite from wildfire smoke, says Victoria councillor

Councillor pushes for year-round emergency shelter access

People who are homeless should be able to access emergency sheltering outside of the winter months, says Coun. Jeremy Loveday. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tents on Wesley Street in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)

Province wants to work with Nanaimo on 60-bed ‘navigation centre’ shelter

City council expressed interest in the idea in late August

Tents on Wesley Street in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file photo)
Nanaimo city council, at a meeting Monday, voted to write a letter to the province expressing interest in being a site for a navigation centre for people experiencing homelessness. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo pushes to host supportive shelter hub for the homeless

Provincial government looking for Vancouver Island location for 60-bed navigation centre

Nanaimo city council, at a meeting Monday, voted to write a letter to the province expressing interest in being a site for a navigation centre for people experiencing homelessness. (News Bulletin file photo)
A tent in the Centennial Square encampment caught fire in June. City staff ordered the relocation of campers on Aug. 28. (@busdriverlife/Twitter)

Spreading out Centennial Square homeless can cause more problems: advocate

Victoria mayor says long-term solutions are needed for vulnerable population

A tent in the Centennial Square encampment caught fire in June. City staff ordered the relocation of campers on Aug. 28. (@busdriverlife/Twitter)
The steeple of St. Anne’s Church in Parksville, which was the area’s only shelter until it closed down in March. (Cloe Logan photo)

Parksville still searching for cold weather homeless shelter answers

Only shelter in the area had to close in March due to COVID-19 concerns

The steeple of St. Anne’s Church in Parksville, which was the area’s only shelter until it closed down in March. (Cloe Logan photo)
Security checks in at the Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting site, a stopgap measure during COVID. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Homeless policies wreaking havoc on communities

Free housing, drugs making matters worse for those living in those neighbourhoods

Security checks in at the Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting site, a stopgap measure during COVID. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Canadians between the ages of 15 and 24. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mental health challenges add to youth stress load

Part 2 in a Black Press series on Youth Homelessness

  • Aug 17, 2020
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Canadians between the ages of 15 and 24. (Black Press Media file photo)
A man walks through a homeless camp where approximately 150 people are living at a parking lot on Port of Vancouver property adjacent to Crab Park, in Vancouver on June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. announces creation of first-ever ‘navigation centre’ to help homeless

Residents referred to the navigation centre will be able to stay until longer-term housing is available

A man walks through a homeless camp where approximately 150 people are living at a parking lot on Port of Vancouver property adjacent to Crab Park, in Vancouver on June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Housing has bought the property at 580 Dogwood St. for the construction of supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in Campbell River. Residents of the adjoining neighbourhood have started a petition opposing the project. Photo by Alistair Taylor – Campbell River Mirror

Opposition to Campbell River supportive housing plan gathering momentum

Neighbours of proposed site circulating petition, concerned about project’s impact

BC Housing has bought the property at 580 Dogwood St. for the construction of supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness in Campbell River. Residents of the adjoining neighbourhood have started a petition opposing the project. Photo by Alistair Taylor – Campbell River Mirror
The 2020 Point-in-Time Count found at least 1,523 people were experiencing homelessness in the CRD. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Greater Victoria Point-in-Time count finds more than 1,500 people homeless

Capital Regional District says count should be treated as an underestimate

The 2020 Point-in-Time Count found at least 1,523 people were experiencing homelessness in the CRD. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
The Rosebowl Restaurant closed its doors at the end of June, 2020. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror

Restaurant to be converted into housing for people experiencing homelessness

BC Housing buys popular Campbell River eatery for $985,000 to serve as bridge housing

The Rosebowl Restaurant closed its doors at the end of June, 2020. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror