Homelessness

(Marth Wickett/Black Press Media file photo)

More people expected to be sheltering on Kelowna streets this winter

City has applied for provincial funding to support Kelowna’s extreme cold weather project

 

Kelowna’s tent city garnered national attention after twee by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Poilievre’s depiction of Kelowna’s tent city ‘disappointing’, says safety director

‘This issue is one that cities across the province and in fact across the country’

 

Vernon’s Upper Room Mission is looking for volunteer hairdressers to be able to offer free haircuts to people that need them. The mission is hoping to offer the service by mid to late June, 2023. (Pixabay photo)

Hairdressers needed to help Vernon’s less fortunate with free haircuts

Upper Room Mission is looking to offer people haircuts who otherwise can’t afford one

 

Salmon Arm firefighters are pictured here in April 2022 fighting a residential fire near the corner of 20th Street NE and Okanagan Avenue. Firefighters responded to a small fire at the same location this past weekend, on April 9, which was quickly extinguished and thought to have been caused by people squatting in the house. (File photo)

Firefighters in Salmon Arm respond to calls involving people living rough

Fire chief says no weekend calls were generated by new tent encampment

Salmon Arm firefighters are pictured here in April 2022 fighting a residential fire near the corner of 20th Street NE and Okanagan Avenue. Firefighters responded to a small fire at the same location this past weekend, on April 9, which was quickly extinguished and thought to have been caused by people squatting in the house. (File photo)
A man is seen inside his tent as police officers stand by while city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. A handful of homeless people set up tents overnight along a stretch of Vancouver’s Hastings Street that was cleared Wednesday in a co-ordinated effort by city officials and Vancouver police. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Eight sheltered but more spaces needed as Vancouver seeks rooms for displaced campers

Tents and suitcases tossed into garbage compactors as encampment dismantled

A man is seen inside his tent as police officers stand by while city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. A handful of homeless people set up tents overnight along a stretch of Vancouver’s Hastings Street that was cleared Wednesday in a co-ordinated effort by city officials and Vancouver police. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tents are seen on the sidewalk in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023.The City of Vancouver says it has asked police to help bring a tent encampment in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood to a close.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver police deployed to end tent encampment in city’s Downtown Eastside

Mayor: longer the street camp continues, the higher the odds more people will lose their lives

Tents are seen on the sidewalk in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023.The City of Vancouver says it has asked police to help bring a tent encampment in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood to a close.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The new camp for people living rough in Salmon Arm, as of March 27, was situated off Narcisse Street near Peter Jannink Park and the city’s sewage treatment plant. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

City to remediate Salmon Arm encampment site, have it ready for soccer season

“We are still working on efforts to move the last camper from this location.”

The new camp for people living rough in Salmon Arm, as of March 27, was situated off Narcisse Street near Peter Jannink Park and the city’s sewage treatment plant. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Security footage shows what appears to be two individuals tending a fire set outside the back of the Salmar Grand movie theatre early Friday morning, March 31, 2023. (Contributed)

Smoke damage from outside fire forces temporary closure at Salmon Arm’s Salmar Grand Theatre

Theatre 2 closed for at least three days for restoration work

Security footage shows what appears to be two individuals tending a fire set outside the back of the Salmar Grand movie theatre early Friday morning, March 31, 2023. (Contributed)
Then-Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon answers questions from members of the media at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. The British Columbia government says it will be providing 330 new homes for people living on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside by the end of June. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Then-Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon answers questions from members of the media at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023. The British Columbia government says it will be providing 330 new homes for people living on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside by the end of June. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission provided 1,750 showers for homeless individuals in the past year, the mission said in a Facebook post March 2, 2023. (Pixabay photo)

Mission gives Vernon’s homeless hope, providing 1,750 showers a year

The Mission also provided 848 loads of clean laundry and new clothing for 1,297 people

Vernon’s Upper Room Mission provided 1,750 showers for homeless individuals in the past year, the mission said in a Facebook post March 2, 2023. (Pixabay photo)
Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

Kid Cupid: Young Abbotsford boy delivers love to the streets with Valentine’s Day bags

Suhaandeep Gill, 7, created thoughtful bags of much-needed items to give to three city shelters

Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)

Health officer pushes back as B.C. town tries to step around drug decriminalization

Campbell River rejects plea to wait six months before forging ahead with drug use ban bylaw

Dr. Charmaine Enns, the North Island medical health officer, recently sent a letter to Campbel River city council urging them to hold off on a illegal drug consumption bylaw. (Black Press file photo)
Khristina (last name withheld), seen here at Salish Park on Jan. 18, 2023, from Saskatchewan comes to Chilliwack twice a year to find her son who is living on the streets, and to hand out supplies to homeless people. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

Saskatchewan cattle rancher visits Fraser Valley twice a year to find her homeless son

‘I spent time with him, and that has to be enough’

Khristina (last name withheld), seen here at Salish Park on Jan. 18, 2023, from Saskatchewan comes to Chilliwack twice a year to find her son who is living on the streets, and to hand out supplies to homeless people. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
Performer Blake Elliott presented a cheque for $10,000 from the ‘mister Blake foundation’ to Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry’s Bill Keyes in Abbotsford on Jan. 19. The ministry provides showers in a mobile unit to the unhoused, in partnership with other service providers in Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Mobile shower ministry gets big boost to continue work in Fraser Valley

Abbotsford-based group has provided 2,600 showers to people in need since 2019

Performer Blake Elliott presented a cheque for $10,000 from the ‘mister Blake foundation’ to Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry’s Bill Keyes in Abbotsford on Jan. 19. The ministry provides showers in a mobile unit to the unhoused, in partnership with other service providers in Abbotsford and Maple Ridge. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
The survey, conducted by Henluk Consulting Ltd., gathered information from people who are homeless, living on the streets, living in emergency shelters, and those at risk of homelessness.  (Black Press file photo)

People accessing help in West Kelowna just want food and warmth: Survey

Approximately 77 per cent of respondents said they accessed services for shelter, food, and clothing

The survey, conducted by Henluk Consulting Ltd., gathered information from people who are homeless, living on the streets, living in emergency shelters, and those at risk of homelessness.  (Black Press file photo)
Dr. Andrew Boozary, a primary care physician and the Executive Director of Population Health and Social Medicine at the University Health Network (UHN) its photographed at a Stabilization & Connection site designed to help people who are unhoused, in Toronto, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

VIDEO: New hospital program helps Toronto’s homeless, cuts ambulance offload times

Stand-alone clinic provides space for people to recover from intoxication

Dr. Andrew Boozary, a primary care physician and the Executive Director of Population Health and Social Medicine at the University Health Network (UHN) its photographed at a Stabilization & Connection site designed to help people who are unhoused, in Toronto, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Outreach volunteers offer help to the homeless on a -20 C night in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Social agencies and advocates say rising interest rates and a high rate of inflation are pushing more Canadians into homelessness. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Perfect storm’ of inflation, high prices driving more into homelessness: advocates

Housing shortage, opioid crisis also making matters worse

Outreach volunteers offer help to the homeless on a -20 C night in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021. Social agencies and advocates say rising interest rates and a high rate of inflation are pushing more Canadians into homelessness. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Vernon resident Peter Hill has made 100 cards reading ‘Hope For All,’ and invites residents to pick one up, fill it with a gift card, and give it to a person experiencing homelessness. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon man makes cards with vital information for the homeless

Peter Hill invites residents to pick up a card, stuff it with a gift card and give it to someone in need

Vernon resident Peter Hill has made 100 cards reading ‘Hope For All,’ and invites residents to pick one up, fill it with a gift card, and give it to a person experiencing homelessness. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Local Losers is hosting an evening of live music by local musicians Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, with all proceeds going to the Cammy LaFleur Street Outreach Clinic. (Contributed)

Live music at Vernon venue to benefit outreach clinic

A night of entertainment at Local Losers will benefit the Cammy LaFleur Street Clinic

Local Losers is hosting an evening of live music by local musicians Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, with all proceeds going to the Cammy LaFleur Street Outreach Clinic. (Contributed)
Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tents and people are seen at a homeless encampment at Crab Park below the towers of the downtown skyline in Vancouver, on Sunday, August 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck