Homelessness

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, where city workers started efforts to clear the encampment on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The city’s fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

As Vancouver begins removing tent encampment, residents wonder where they should go

Heavy police presence and resident concern as city staff set to work Tuesday

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, where city workers started efforts to clear the encampment on Tuesday, August 9, 2022. The city’s fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. People living in a growing tent community along the street have been handed notices advising that the tents and other structures are about to be removed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Crowded tent encampment on main Vancouver street set to be removed by city

Notice from the City of Vancouver says removal would first focus on the highest risk areas

Tents line the sidewalk on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Thursday, July 28, 2022. People living in a growing tent community along the street have been handed notices advising that the tents and other structures are about to be removed. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Bullet holes are seen in the windshield and passenger window of a police vehicle at the scene of a shooting, in Langley, B.C., on Monday, July 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘My heart breaks’: Trudeau, leaders react to deadly Langley shooting

28-year-old Surrey man shot four people, killing two, during a 5-hour spree Monday

Bullet holes are seen in the windshield and passenger window of a police vehicle at the scene of a shooting, in Langley, B.C., on Monday, July 25, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Abbotsford council has adopted the city’s Homelessness Action Plan. (Abbotsford News file photo)

Abbotsford council adopts plan to address homelessness in the city

Five goals and several action steps are underway for next 5-7 years

Abbotsford council has adopted the city’s Homelessness Action Plan. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun speaks at the annual Mayor’s Breakfast on Friday morning (May 13) at Tradex. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)

Abbotsford mayor says city is ‘truly resilient’ following flooding and other challenges

Henry Braun addresses flood, homelessness and other topics at annual Mayor’s Breakfast

Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun speaks at the annual Mayor’s Breakfast on Friday morning (May 13) at Tradex. (Vikki Hopes/Abbotsford News)
FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. ministers tout $633M to address homelessness day after data shows thousands unhoused

Funds going toward youth in care, complex-care housing, rent supplements, support workers

FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A free pantry set up in uptown White Rock was found in pieces Tuesday (March 15, 2022). (White Rock Pantry Project Facebook photo)

White Rock ‘free pantry’ reduced to pile of rubble

‘It’s sad that somebody was in that state of mind’

A free pantry set up in uptown White Rock was found in pieces Tuesday (March 15, 2022). (White Rock Pantry Project Facebook photo)
(Black Press file photo)

23,000 people experienced homelessness in B.C. in 2019, new data shows

The province will release their strategy for homelessness on Thursday (March 17)

(Black Press file photo)
Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Budget: Renter rebate off the table, but $600 rent supplements coming for vulnerable groups

Long-awaited renters rebate left out of 2022 budget

Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media 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. 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
The old Abbotsford Visitor Info Centre on DeLair Road has been converted to a warming centre through Archway, upsetting neighbours in the busy area. (Jessica Peters/ Abbotsford News)

New warming centre in Abbotsford too close to home, say neighbours

Neighbours weren’t notified about DeLair Road centre, but community consultation is planned

The old Abbotsford Visitor Info Centre on DeLair Road has been converted to a warming centre through Archway, upsetting neighbours in the busy area. (Jessica Peters/ Abbotsford News)
The Red Lion Inn and Suites on Pauline Street in Abbotsford was sold to the province last year, with a long-term plan for the hotel and two adjacent lots to become a permanent supportive-housing building. The province announced on Jan. 20, 2022 that the site will now also include eight complex-care spaces.

Former Abbotsford hotel to offer ‘complex care’ spaces for homeless people

Red Lion among 4 facilities that will offer support services for those with aggressive behaviour

The Red Lion Inn and Suites on Pauline Street in Abbotsford was sold to the province last year, with a long-term plan for the hotel and two adjacent lots to become a permanent supportive-housing building. The province announced on Jan. 20, 2022 that the site will now also include eight complex-care spaces.
A man with his belongings in a parking lot in Abbotsford on Jan. 13, 2022. (John Morrow/ Abbotsford News)

Going beyond a cup of coffee: Abbotsford organization hopes to impact homelessness

Character Abbotsford making plans to meet with organizations who help those with housing challenges

A man with his belongings in a parking lot in Abbotsford on Jan. 13, 2022. (John Morrow/ Abbotsford News)
The Street Thug Barbers spent the Christmas weekend and beyond visiting homeless camps in Abbotsford, ensuring people had propane, food and fellowship. (Street Thug Barbers/ Facebook)

Helping homeless survive cold snap in Abbotsford a ‘desperate situation’

Churches and ministries worked overtime to ensure hundreds of people survived arctic outflow

The Street Thug Barbers spent the Christmas weekend and beyond visiting homeless camps in Abbotsford, ensuring people had propane, food and fellowship. (Street Thug Barbers/ Facebook)
Raising the Roof toques are $15, and there are also mask and toque packages available for $18. (raisingtheroof.org)

Abbotsford youth ambassadors selling toques to reduce homelessness

Students from Dasmesh Punjabi School volunteering with Raising the Roof

Raising the Roof toques are $15, and there are also mask and toque packages available for $18. (raisingtheroof.org)
Ron Makkinga of RM Livestock brought his 24-foot cattle trailer on Saturday (Dec. 11) to the homeless camp behind Walmart on Vedder Way in Abbotsford to haul away garbage. More than 2,400 kilograms was collected. (Submitted photo)

Abbotsford group cleans up homeless camp and provides petting zoo and pizza

Camp residents asked to provide 2 bags of garbage in exchange for treats

Ron Makkinga of RM Livestock brought his 24-foot cattle trailer on Saturday (Dec. 11) to the homeless camp behind Walmart on Vedder Way in Abbotsford to haul away garbage. More than 2,400 kilograms was collected. (Submitted photo)
Cyrus Centre for at-risk youth is among the Abbotsford locations providing temporary-shelter spaces over the fall and winter. (Abbotsford News file photo)

Abbotsford has 105 temporary and extreme-weather shelters for fall and winter

More shelters will be added when needed throughout the winter

Cyrus Centre for at-risk youth is among the Abbotsford locations providing temporary-shelter spaces over the fall and winter. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Federal funding totalling $1.3 million has been allocated to 12 projects in Abbotsford that are focused on reducing homelessness in the community. (Abbotsford News file photo)

12 projects focused on preventing homelessness receive $1.3M in Abbotsford

Federal funding disbursed from Reaching Home program

Federal funding totalling $1.3 million has been allocated to 12 projects in Abbotsford that are focused on reducing homelessness in the community. (Abbotsford News 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
Mission RCMP speak with a woman experiencing homelessness who found some shade in front of a local daycare. (Kevin Mills/Mission City Record)

Province to spend $12.3 million to develop 50 new modular homes in Mission

Mission Community Services Society to operate facility, $1.4 million to be provided annually

Mission RCMP speak with a woman experiencing homelessness who found some shade in front of a local daycare. (Kevin Mills/Mission City Record)
Pop-up banner image