Homelessness

A community cleanup on Wednesday, April 28 targets the grassy area between West Railway Street and Gladys Avenue in east Abbotsford. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

Abbotsford Police’s street outreach team holds community cleanup

Event on Wednesday, April 28 targets green space between West Railway and Gladys

A community cleanup on Wednesday, April 28 targets the grassy area between West Railway Street and Gladys Avenue in east Abbotsford. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)
Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)

VIDEO: Man sets off fireworks next to homeless person’s cart in Fraser Valley

No police reports made into incident shared on social media

Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Former Vancouver hotel to be converted to 65 units for homeless people by the fall

The former Days Inn on Kingsway will be ready to house people in November

Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Mission firefighters approaching the homeless camp after dragging firehoses across the tracks. Patrick Penner / Mission Record.

Homeless-camp fire in Mission shuts down CP Rail line

Man seen being taken away from camp in handcuffs by Mission RCMP

Mission firefighters approaching the homeless camp after dragging firehoses across the tracks. Patrick Penner / Mission Record.
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Same day well-known Chilliwack homeless man gets shelter built he is taken to hospital

Fraser Health doctor sent to assess James ordered him brought to CGH for proper assessment

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Homeless man says ‘thank you’ to Chilliwack firefighters for building him a shelter

City of Chilliwack received several calls this week from people concerned about James’ safety

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Patti MacAhonic, executive director with Ann Davis Transition Society, and fellow staff member, Mary Jones, are getting ready for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Feb. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

‘Coldest Night’ walk to raise money for homeless, vulnerable women and children in Fraser Valley

This year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk benefitting Chilliwack’s Ann Davis Transition Society

Patti MacAhonic, executive director with Ann Davis Transition Society, and fellow staff member, Mary Jones, are getting ready for the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser on Feb. 20, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
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
Alexis Stollings watches as Sharon Reeder donates plastic bags to the ‘Mats for a Cause Chilliwack’ effort to weave sleeping mats for the homeless in Chilliwack. (Darren Stollings photo)

B.C. teen launches project to weave sleeping mats for the homeless

Mats for a Cause Chilliwack was created by youth who is seeking donations in plastic-bag drive

Alexis Stollings watches as Sharon Reeder donates plastic bags to the ‘Mats for a Cause Chilliwack’ effort to weave sleeping mats for the homeless in Chilliwack. (Darren Stollings photo)
A past extreme weather response shelter set up for women inside Surrey’s Nightshift Street Ministries. (Photo: Chris Paul/nightshiftministries.org)

Homeless people in Surrey face ‘shocking and scary’ scenario this winter

Last winter there were nine Extreme Weather Response shelters in all of Surrey and White Rock. So far, during this pandemic, there are only five lined up for the coming winter

A past extreme weather response shelter set up for women inside Surrey’s Nightshift Street Ministries. (Photo: Chris Paul/nightshiftministries.org)
More than 20 signs will be installed at busy interesections around Abbotsford to discourage panhandling. (Abbotsford Police Department photo)

More than 20 signs to be posted in Abbotsford to discourage panhandling

Signs at busy intersections urge citizens to donate to local agencies

More than 20 signs will be installed at busy interesections around Abbotsford to discourage panhandling. (Abbotsford Police Department 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
Newly built beds on the bottom floor of Haven in the Hollow. Their use awaits the decision of district council to increase the zoning capacity of the building from 31 to 71 people. / Patrick Penner Photo

Mission service workers, property owners at odds over increasing shelter space for homeless

Public hearing over bylaw amendment to increase Haven in the Hollow’s capacity by 40 held on July 27

Newly built beds on the bottom floor of Haven in the Hollow. Their use awaits the decision of district council to increase the zoning capacity of the building from 31 to 71 people. / Patrick Penner Photo
The number of homeless individuals in the Fraser Valley went up significantly in three years. (Chilliwack Progress file)

Pandemic puts pressure on communities already challenged by homelessness

Final results of 2020 homeless count to assist governments trying to address housing issues

The number of homeless individuals in the Fraser Valley went up significantly in three years. (Chilliwack Progress file)
A homeless camp on Gladys Avenue in Abbotsford in 2013 is the subject of a complaint that will proceed to a hearing of the Human Rights Tribunal. (Abbotsford News file photo)

Human-rights complaint by 5 homeless men in Abbotsford will proceed to hearing

Issues occurred in 2013 around time of infamous manure-spreading incident

A homeless camp on Gladys Avenue in Abbotsford in 2013 is the subject of a complaint that will proceed to a hearing of the Human Rights Tribunal. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Rev. Christine Muise at St. Anne’s Church on Jan. 8 in Parksville. (Cloe Logan photo)

COVID-19: Shelter-seeking B.C. homeless group resorts to sleeping in graveyard

People to camp near Parksville church at night as group looks for assistance

Rev. Christine Muise at St. Anne’s Church on Jan. 8 in Parksville. (Cloe Logan photo)
Les Talvio, executive director of Cyrus Centre, said they will be delivering Easter meals to youth and their families in Chilliwack and Abbotsford. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)

Cyrus Centre takes Easter dinner on the road for youth

Centres in Abbotsford and Chilliwack preparing to deliver meals to their youth and families

Les Talvio, executive director of Cyrus Centre, said they will be delivering Easter meals to youth and their families in Chilliwack and Abbotsford. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)
Soap and hot water in short supply for Lower Mainland homeless during coronavirus outbreak

Soap and hot water in short supply for Lower Mainland homeless during coronavirus outbreak

Local non-profits are giving out hand wipes and sanitizer

Soap and hot water in short supply for Lower Mainland homeless during coronavirus outbreak
Judy Simmill and one of her crocheted sleeping mats made from plastic bags. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Progress)

WATCH: Chilliwack woman makes sleeping mats for the homeless out of plastic bags

The crocheted mats are given out to people in the streets by security personnel

Judy Simmill and one of her crocheted sleeping mats made from plastic bags. (Jennifer Feinberg/ The Progress)
Barry Shantz in 2015 in front of a homeless camp at Gladys Avenue and Cyril Street. Abbotsford News file photo.

Abbotsford homeless advocate killed by RCMP leaves behind complicated legacy

Barry Shantz was shot by Lytton police officers after six-hour standoff on Jan. 13

Barry Shantz in 2015 in front of a homeless camp at Gladys Avenue and Cyril Street. Abbotsford News file photo.