Thoughts on BC Politics and More

After pioneering the quick-build housing model, Vancouver is backing away from the strategy When Phoenix Winter walks past two white apartment buildings on Cambie Street, she thinks of the people she knows who found stability there after being homeless. But although the lights are still on inside, the units are now empty. “It’s really a crime that those usable units are sitting there and they’re not being used" ... CLICK HERE for the full story

... Biobaku is just one of nearly 92,000 asylum claimants who fled to Canada in 2022, and around 70,000 more have arrived since, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.   It has led to an influx of unsponsored refugee claimants that have flooded homeless shelters, temporary housing and social services in several Canadian cities, most notably in Toronto, and now in Ottawa.   Allan Reesor-McDowell, executive director of Matthew House, said all 13 of its reception and transitional homes are at full capacity, which combined typically provide beds for over 90 people ... CLICK HERE for the full story

A Victoria city councillor released data on 911 calls to homeless shelters and city parks   A recent data dump of 911 calls for service to homeless shelters and city parks in Victoria paints an unfair and inaccurate picture of criminality in the city and demonizes the homeless, says the head of Our Place Society.   “I think it’s unfortunate when ordinary citizens are led to believe that there is a crime wave going on in the city and at particular organizations when that isn’t in fact the case,” said Julian Daly, chief executive of Our Place, which has its roots on the front lines working with unhoused people and other vulnerable groups. “The data is being used to make it look like our agency, Our Place, is a hotbed of criminality, that there’s a tsunami of crime going on at Our Place, when it’s not.”   Victoria Coun. Stephen Hammond recently shared the results of a freedom of information request showing the number of 911 calls for service placed to homeless...