Homelessness

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)
Abbotsford will soon have a few more resources for people experiencing homelessness, following funding for Archway Community Services. (Langley Advance files)

Washrooms, drop-in centre and shelter beds all planned for Abbotsford

Archway Community Services planning several community assets with $1.5 million in joint funding

Abbotsford will soon have a few more resources for people experiencing homelessness, following funding for Archway Community Services. (Langley Advance files)
Homeless man lying on the bench. File photo

Abbotsford and Mission get funding to help with homelessness during extreme weather

Projects will support those experiencing homelessness with shelter and more

Homeless man lying on the bench. File photo
Federal funds are now available in Abbotsford for projects that prevent or reduce homelessness. (Abbotsford News file photo)

$1.3M in federal funding available for homelessness projects in Abbotsford

Proposals now being accepted for preventing and reducing homelessness

Federal funds are now available in Abbotsford for projects that prevent or reduce homelessness. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Joseph Sikora (far right) and his team of Street Thug Barbers deliver food to the homeless population in Abbotsford. (Submitted photo)

Abbotsford ‘haircut ministry’ provides food and hygiene to homeless population

Joseph Sikora and his Street Thug Barbers take to the streets

Joseph Sikora (far right) and his team of Street Thug Barbers deliver food to the homeless population in Abbotsford. (Submitted photo)
Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Where will homelessness rise or fall? A federally funded AI has some predictions

Helpseeker says numbers should help policy-makers decide on where to put resources

Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.

Mom pleads for information about son’s killing at Abbotsford homeless camp

Robert Nelson, 35, described as ‘man who stood for justice, honour, respect’

Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.
Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford's Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. She gave an update on the pending investigation into her brother's death. John Morrow photos.

IIO report, stalled investigations frustrating sister of Abbotsford activist slain by RCMP

Barry Shantz was killed by RCMP officers during mental-health crisis on Jan. 13, 2020

Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford's Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. She gave an update on the pending investigation into her brother's death. John Morrow photos.
Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford’s Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

IIO report, stalled investigations frustrate sister of Abbotsford activist slain by RCMP

Barry Shantz was killed by RCMP officers during mental-health crisis on Jan. 13, 2020

Marilyn Farquhar in Abbotsford’s Jubilee Park on June 5, standing in front of a grief quilt she made in remembrance of her brother, Barry Shantz. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)
The Red Lion Inn and Suites on Pauline Street in Abbotsford has been sold as a temporary shelter space for 30 people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. The long-term plan is for the hotel and two adjacent lots to become a permanent supportive-housing building.

Abbotsford hotel sold as part of long-term supportive-housing plan

Red Lion Inn and Suites on Pauline Street will start as 30-space temporary shelter

The Red Lion Inn and Suites on Pauline Street in Abbotsford has been sold as a temporary shelter space for 30 people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. The long-term plan is for the hotel and two adjacent lots to become a permanent supportive-housing building.