On April 8, preliminary results of the Metro Vancouver Homelessness Count were released. They show a dramatic increase since 2005 when the last counts were done. Almost 2,600 people were identified as homeless in the region. Every municipality showed an increase. The organizers of the count stressed that this number is an undercount – that for various reasons many who are homeless were not identified.
The Fraser Valley count will be made public later this month.
Please visit http://www.davidchudnovsky.bc.ca/reports/2008%20Homeless%20Count%20Preliminary%20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20April.pdf for the full 2008 GVRD Homelessness Count.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The North -- Day Four Terrace
We want to begin with an apology for taking so long to post this report. We try to report on our tour on the same day as our visits, and we hope that readers, especially those from Terrace, can forgive us this time.
We began the day with a visit to the breakfast program at Kermode Friendship Society. On our way in we met two men who had slept in the bush and said they had spent all winter outside in Terrace. Thanks to both of them for taking the time to speak with us at length. Once we got to the breakfast program we visited with volunteers, staff, board members -- and, of course, those who were having breakfast.
A highlight of our time in Terrace was a serious and comprehensive discussion with the Mayor and members of Council. We reminded them that the provincial government has committed to providing capital funding for social housing at a number of sites in Vancouver if the city provides the land. (It should be noted that this capital funding is still only a promise and there are no committed provincial capital funds.) Nevertheless, smaller centres deserve the same support to deal with their homelessness problems. We encouregaed Terrace Council, as we have every council with whom we have met, to approach the Provincial Government to make sure smaller centres are not forgotten.
We began the day with a visit to the breakfast program at Kermode Friendship Society. On our way in we met two men who had slept in the bush and said they had spent all winter outside in Terrace. Thanks to both of them for taking the time to speak with us at length. Once we got to the breakfast program we visited with volunteers, staff, board members -- and, of course, those who were having breakfast.
A highlight of our time in Terrace was a serious and comprehensive discussion with the Mayor and members of Council. We reminded them that the provincial government has committed to providing capital funding for social housing at a number of sites in Vancouver if the city provides the land. (It should be noted that this capital funding is still only a promise and there are no committed provincial capital funds.) Nevertheless, smaller centres deserve the same support to deal with their homelessness problems. We encouregaed Terrace Council, as we have every council with whom we have met, to approach the Provincial Government to make sure smaller centres are not forgotten.
The North -- Day Four Terrace
Itinerary
8:00 AM - Kermode Friendship Society: Breakfast Kitchen
9:00 AM - Terrace Schizophrenia Society
10:00 AM - Terrace Anti-Poverty Group Society
11:00 AM - Ksan Housing Society
1:00 PM - Mayor of Terrace and Council
2:00 PM - Muks-kum-ol Housing Society
3:00 PM - North West Addictions
8:00 AM - Kermode Friendship Society: Breakfast Kitchen
9:00 AM - Terrace Schizophrenia Society
10:00 AM - Terrace Anti-Poverty Group Society
11:00 AM - Ksan Housing Society
1:00 PM - Mayor of Terrace and Council
2:00 PM - Muks-kum-ol Housing Society
3:00 PM - North West Addictions
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The North Day Three -- Smithers, Hazelton
Today we spent most of the afternoon in what is perhaps the most beautiful setting anywhere. We met with Chief Marjorie McRae of the Gitanmaax Band and Band members in Hazelton. With the snow capped mountains keeping watch over this exquisite valley we had a wide ranging discussion about homelessness, poverty, mental health and social conditions.
We heard about the terrible shortage of affordable housing, about the extremely poor conditions (mice, mould, cold) of many rental apartments, about the lack of stable and supportive housing for people who have succesfully completed treatment for alcohol and drug dependencies, about the large number of youth who are couch surfing and therefore at risk, about a mother with two young children who has absolutely no safe place to live so the band is paying for her to stay in a motel.
One woman courageously told us of her experience couch surfing for the last 15 years. A man explained that he often lets young people stay in his home because they have nowhere else to go and he fears for their safety. He also told us how devestating it is to see elders of the community on the street with nowhere to live.
We also heard from two articulate young women about programs in town that are making a difference -- especially a film course for youth sponsored by the Canadian Film Board which inspired youth by giving them new skills and encouraging their creativity. We watched several of these excellent short movies.
These remarkable people shared with us their challenges and obstacles, but also their hopes and dreams. It was an experience we won't soon forget and we thank them for their graciousness and their hospitality.
We committed to pursue the idea of provincially sponsored transition housing in Hazelton and will take up this issue with their local MLA and the Minister.
We heard about the terrible shortage of affordable housing, about the extremely poor conditions (mice, mould, cold) of many rental apartments, about the lack of stable and supportive housing for people who have succesfully completed treatment for alcohol and drug dependencies, about the large number of youth who are couch surfing and therefore at risk, about a mother with two young children who has absolutely no safe place to live so the band is paying for her to stay in a motel.
One woman courageously told us of her experience couch surfing for the last 15 years. A man explained that he often lets young people stay in his home because they have nowhere else to go and he fears for their safety. He also told us how devestating it is to see elders of the community on the street with nowhere to live.
We also heard from two articulate young women about programs in town that are making a difference -- especially a film course for youth sponsored by the Canadian Film Board which inspired youth by giving them new skills and encouraging their creativity. We watched several of these excellent short movies.
These remarkable people shared with us their challenges and obstacles, but also their hopes and dreams. It was an experience we won't soon forget and we thank them for their graciousness and their hospitality.
We committed to pursue the idea of provincially sponsored transition housing in Hazelton and will take up this issue with their local MLA and the Minister.
The North Day Three -- Smithers, Hazelton
Itinerary
8:00 AM - Meeting with officials at Smithers Town hall
9:00 AM - Schizophrenia Society
10:00 AM - Broadway Place Emergency Shelter
11:00 AM - Northers Society for Domestic Peace
2:00 PM - Meet with Chief Marjorie McRae, Hazelton
8:00 AM - Meeting with officials at Smithers Town hall
9:00 AM - Schizophrenia Society
10:00 AM - Broadway Place Emergency Shelter
11:00 AM - Northers Society for Domestic Peace
2:00 PM - Meet with Chief Marjorie McRae, Hazelton
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The North -- Day Two Vanderhoof, Burns Lake
When we were in Revelstoke a couple of weeks ago, and during our time in the rest of the Kootenays, we heard from a number of private sector employers about the problems they are having attracting and keeping workers because there is nowhere for the workers to live. We reported on this situation in an earlier post on this blog.
Today in the north we heard about a similar problem, but this time with recruitment and retention of professional workers in the public service and the not for profit sector. At both Nechako Valley Community Services in Vanderhoof and Lake District Community Services in Burns Lake we were told stories about potential employees -- whose salaries are higher than many in these communities -- who couldn't find a place to live.
At Neighbourlink in Vanderhoof we heard from an RCMP officer about homeless people who commit petty crimes so that they can be arrested and have the shelter, safety, warmth and food that a jail cell brings. He said this happens 2 to 3 times a month in Vanderhoof. Neighburlink provides a food bank, community meals, motel vouchers, emergency support for young mothers, support for homeless transients in town, and more -- all without any support from any level of government. All they ask for is some financial support from the provincial government -- in the 90s they got a small subsidy -- and we promised we would pursue this.
So far we have noticed that a large number of the homeless people in this region are young men who couch surf and are very hard to identify so they receive minimal support and services.
Today in the north we heard about a similar problem, but this time with recruitment and retention of professional workers in the public service and the not for profit sector. At both Nechako Valley Community Services in Vanderhoof and Lake District Community Services in Burns Lake we were told stories about potential employees -- whose salaries are higher than many in these communities -- who couldn't find a place to live.
At Neighbourlink in Vanderhoof we heard from an RCMP officer about homeless people who commit petty crimes so that they can be arrested and have the shelter, safety, warmth and food that a jail cell brings. He said this happens 2 to 3 times a month in Vanderhoof. Neighburlink provides a food bank, community meals, motel vouchers, emergency support for young mothers, support for homeless transients in town, and more -- all without any support from any level of government. All they ask for is some financial support from the provincial government -- in the 90s they got a small subsidy -- and we promised we would pursue this.
So far we have noticed that a large number of the homeless people in this region are young men who couch surf and are very hard to identify so they receive minimal support and services.
The North -- Day Two Vanderhoof, Burns Lake
Itinerary
9:30 AM - Omineca Safe House Society
10:30 AM - Nechako Valley Community Services
11:30 AM - Vanderhoof Neighbourlink
2:00 PM - Lake District Community Services
3:30 PM - Burns Lake Village Hall
9:30 AM - Omineca Safe House Society
10:30 AM - Nechako Valley Community Services
11:30 AM - Vanderhoof Neighbourlink
2:00 PM - Lake District Community Services
3:30 PM - Burns Lake Village Hall
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