Housing and Homelessness

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)
Richard Nelson, who belonged to the Nisga’a Eagle Clan, will be remembered as a loving brother by his family and as a father figure by the Terrace homeless community. (Submitted photo/Diana Guno)

His last words were ‘I love you’: Sister mourns brother found dead in northern B.C. tent

Richard Nelson, a Tsimshian and Nisga’a man living on the streets of Terrace, found dead in -20 weather

Richard Nelson, who belonged to the Nisga’a Eagle Clan, will be remembered as a loving brother by his family and as a father figure by the Terrace homeless community. (Submitted photo/Diana Guno)
Mayor Marianne Alto spoke at the vigil which included members of the community and unhoused on Dec.21 via Zoom. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Victoria vigil to remember unhoused who have died goes online due to extreme weather

The annual candle-light vigil for the homeless was moved indoors to avoid weather unhoused live in

Mayor Marianne Alto spoke at the vigil which included members of the community and unhoused on Dec.21 via Zoom. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
For Rent. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror

Three of five top reasons for homelessness related to income: report

Average housing unstable person in Campbell River is a woman aged 26-45 living with a partner

For Rent. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror
North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney addresses the room at the Vital Conversation on Housing Security in Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

North Island summit aimed at addressing area’s housing crisis

Campbell River Community Foundation hosts Vital Conversation on housing

North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney addresses the room at the Vital Conversation on Housing Security in Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)

‘He was a loving man’: Daughter remembers dad who was found dead in Saanich tent

Dave Bergman was a loving man who, like many others, struggled with the stigma around mental health

Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)
Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)

‘He was a loving man’: Daughter remembers dad who was found dead in Saanich tent

Dave Bergman was a loving man who, like many others, struggled with the stigma around mental health

Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)
Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile  pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell
Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile  pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell
Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell

Denman Islander designs mobile personal shelter prototypes

‘I think of it as supporting urban nomadism.’

Werner Karsten shows one of the two turtlepod prototypes he brought with him for display at the Walk With Me event in Courtenay, on Nov. 26. The insulated, mobile pods are intended to provide safe shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Photo by Terry Farrell
FILE - Premier David Eby announced his plan to create a new ministry solely devoted to housing on Nov. 22, 2022. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Eby to create new ministry solely devoted to B.C. housing crisis

Housing currently overseen by attorney general

FILE - Premier David Eby announced his plan to create a new ministry solely devoted to housing on Nov. 22, 2022. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
An unhoused individual’s belongings sheltered by a tent in Pioneer Square on Quadra Street. (Hollie Ferguson/VicNews)

Victoria’s Our Place films daily operations of Dandelion Street Outreach Program

The video shows how the outreach team interacts with more isolated communities that shelter in parks

An unhoused individual’s belongings sheltered by a tent in Pioneer Square on Quadra Street. (Hollie Ferguson/VicNews)
Black Press Media file photo

Homelessness in Kelowna tripled in size in the last year: Bylaw

The cleaning of ‘Tent City’ required a backhoe, a dump truck, and about 20 RCMP and bylaw officers

Black Press Media file photo
A lot on Fourth Avenue destined for tiny or pod homes has been cleared, serviced and leveled in anticipation of the structures. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

‘Unexpected’ costs threaten progress of Port Alberni’s tiny home village

Operators have started a GoFundMe to try and raise extra funds

A lot on Fourth Avenue destined for tiny or pod homes has been cleared, serviced and leveled in anticipation of the structures. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tiny home villages as solution to homelessness? 3 B.C. mayors say yes

Sites up and running in Victoria and Duncan, Port Alberni on its way to do the same

The Tiny Home Village in Victoria’s North Park neighbourhood welcomed 30 residents in May 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Community safety officer Ron Litzenberger, left, watches as Wally Taylor, Nanaimo bylaws officer, talks with people who have camped along a sidewalk on Victoria Road early Monday, Aug. 15, and asks them to take down the campsite. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Community safety officers set out to build relationships, respect in Nanaimo’s downtown

CSOs now training with program to be fully implemented next month

Community safety officer Ron Litzenberger, left, watches as Wally Taylor, Nanaimo bylaws officer, talks with people who have camped along a sidewalk on Victoria Road early Monday, Aug. 15, and asks them to take down the campsite. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsey announced his retirement Aug. 2. (BC Housing website)

BC Housing CEO to step away after recent attacks on unhoused people, threats to himself

“I no longer have confidence I can solve the complex problems facing us”

BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsey announced his retirement Aug. 2. (BC Housing website)
The Strathcona Regional District has seen housing costs rise faster than income rates. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror

Housing cost vs. income gap means affordability not improving soon: SRD review

‘Dramatic interventions’ from government would help lessen housing pressure — housing consultant

The Strathcona Regional District has seen housing costs rise faster than income rates. Photo by Marc Kitteringham - Campbell River Mirror
At least a dozen trailers are parked on two Fourth Avenue lots owned by Randy Brown. The City of Port Alberni says the trailers are parked illegally and they continue to issue tickets daily to Brown. (June 3, 2022) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni to take court action on illegal RV park housing vulnerable people

Move will come only after people are moved into BC Housing-funded tiny home village project

At least a dozen trailers are parked on two Fourth Avenue lots owned by Randy Brown. The City of Port Alberni says the trailers are parked illegally and they continue to issue tickets daily to Brown. (June 3, 2022) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Cyndi Stevens, executive director of the Port Alberni Friendship Center, stands in front of the future site of Walyaqil Tiny Home Village in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

‘Tiny homes’ secured for vulnerable population in Port Alberni

Temporary development will address homelessness crisis short term, says housing task force

Cyndi Stevens, executive director of the Port Alberni Friendship Center, stands in front of the future site of Walyaqil Tiny Home Village in Port Alberni. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Could matching people needing housing with homes with empty pillows through home sharing help solve Vancouver Island’s housing problem? (pixabay file)

Can Vancouver Island’s empty bedrooms help solve the housing crunch?

40% of Campbell River bedrooms empty, coalition plans to fill them through home sharing

Could matching people needing housing with homes with empty pillows through home sharing help solve Vancouver Island’s housing problem? (pixabay file)