Homelessness

Volunteer ‘Bear’ and Anthony Bryan stand outside the new community services tent for unhoused people living in or near Beacon Hill Park. The tent was moved to its new location near Cook Street and Dallas Road on Saturday. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Community services tent returns, in new location near Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park

Homeless services tent installed on Cook Street

 

Victoria moved Thursday toward a possible permanent closure of Central Park to 24/7 sheltering. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria council moves to adjust camping in parks bylaw

Safety, comfort of those sheltering in parks considered, as well as mitigating effects of camping

 

Tarpaulin-covered tents sit next to one of the ponds in Beacon Hill Park. The location of the Meegan community care tent has still not been nailed down, as Victoria council rejected the recommendation offered by city staff. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Location of care tent for Victoria’s Beacon Hill campers still not settled

Council roundly rejects Avalon Road site, road’s edge on Cook Street appears the top alternative

 

Rendering shows murals decorating the proposed tiny home community in the Caledonia/Vancouver street parking lot next to Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)

Tiny homes project on Victoria parking lot gets boost from council

Shipping container neighbourhood stems from Aryze Development idea

Rendering shows murals decorating the proposed tiny home community in the Caledonia/Vancouver street parking lot next to Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)
Last year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk raised more than $17,000 in Sooke. (Facebook - Sooke Shelter Society)

Coldest Night of the Year walk returns to Sooke for second year

Walk for homeless set for Feb. 22

Last year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk raised more than $17,000 in Sooke. (Facebook - Sooke Shelter Society)
The City of Victoria is closing Central Park for ‘remediation’ on Jan. 4. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria closing Central Park for remediation following campers, wet weather

Park will be closed Jan. 4 until further notice

The City of Victoria is closing Central Park for ‘remediation’ on Jan. 4. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mikko Lindroos is desperate for indoor shelter. Not all those who live in Central Park are in agreement, but Lindroos supports a recent letter from the North Park Neighbourhood Association, calling for immediate temporary shelter space for the park’s homeless community. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

BC Housing moves Central Park campers to pavement after residents call for shelter space

Letter calls for temporary shelter spaces at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

Mikko Lindroos is desperate for indoor shelter. Not all those who live in Central Park are in agreement, but Lindroos supports a recent letter from the North Park Neighbourhood Association, calling for immediate temporary shelter space for the park’s homeless community. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The Wesley Street encampment earlier this fall. (News Bulletin file photo)

‘Disorder, conflict, violence, frequent overdoses’: Why Nanaimo tent city was dismantled

City of Nanaimo says had fire happened at night, the result would have been multiple fatalities

The Wesley Street encampment earlier this fall. (News Bulletin file photo)
A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Specialist who treated rare disease among homeless wants doctors to be aware of signs

Those four cases this year are the only ones known to have occurred in Canada since the mid-1990s

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The public will start to weigh in next month on the possible future uses of Oak Bay Lodge. In the meantime, a request to the province by the City of Victoria to intervene and allow use of at least a portion of the closed facility as temporary shelter space awaits an answer. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay Lodge redevelopment planning continues, request for temporary use awaits answer

Public consultation on future of CRD-owned site begins next month

The public will start to weigh in next month on the possible future uses of Oak Bay Lodge. In the meantime, a request to the province by the City of Victoria to intervene and allow use of at least a portion of the closed facility as temporary shelter space awaits an answer. (Black Press Media file photo)
Shea Smith is one of three creators of The Homeless Idea podcast. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Victoria podcasters talk homelessness first-hand

Three homeless Victoria residents created The Homeless Idea to give themselves a voice

Shea Smith is one of three creators of The Homeless Idea podcast. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
The Silk Road Tea boxed set of 12 varieties is being sold as a fundraiser for the non-profit Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)

Seasonal fundraiser suits Victoria youth housing non-profit to a tea

Winter Carnival cancelled, but Threshold Housing brewing up a tasty option for donors

The Silk Road Tea boxed set of 12 varieties is being sold as a fundraiser for the non-profit Threshold Housing Society. (Courtesy Threshold Housing Society)
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)
Over a dozen unhoused people and North Park neighbourhood residents showed up to Central Park Oct. 10 to discuss housing with provincial candidates. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Central Park meet-and-greet focuses on homelessness

Over a dozen Victoria-Beacon Hill residents showed up to discuss homelessness with candidates

Over a dozen unhoused people and North Park neighbourhood residents showed up to Central Park Oct. 10 to discuss housing with provincial candidates. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Overhead view of Centennial Square, from atop the Fisgard Street parkade. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)

LETTER: Victoria council members should resign over Centennial Square camping decision

Residents implored to remember how councillors voted for this issue come election time

  • Sep 18, 2020
Overhead view of Centennial Square, from atop the Fisgard Street parkade. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)
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)
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)
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 15, 2020
Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in Canadians between the ages of 15 and 24. (Black Press Media file photo)