26576 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Yes. You think Vancouver is a big city until you visit Seattle.

[dasmo]

Hong Kong was impressive.

[Victoria Watcher]

Les Leyne: Attempt at 'clarity and guidance' on shelters fails on both counts

What started as a legal definition setting a province-wide standard for dealing with homeless encampments has evolved into an embarrassing mess

https://www.timescol...-counts-7890900

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 November 2023 - 05:47 AM.

[LJ]

8 days in New Zealand so far and have yet to see any one using any drugs at all. I’m sure there is loads of cannabis growing here but not a whiff.

Odd.

I'm in Singapore right now and there are no drugs here at all. Mandatory rehab if caught using, death if caught dealing. No homeless encampments either. However, gas is $2.90 a litre, bottle of cheap wine is $35, mickey of Vodka $25.

 

[Nparker]

"...Homeless counts around B.C. through the NDP terms show sizeable increases across the board..."

[max.bravo]

paying people to do nothing, changing laws to allow homeless to live in parks, giving them free drugs, free housing, free food, not prosecuting any crime, and removing the stigma from all of it? Gee, I wonder why homelessness is increasing. what a mystery!

[Victoria Watcher]

paying people to do nothing, changing laws to allow homeless to live in parks, giving them free drugs, free housing, free food, not prosecuting any crime, and removing the stigma from all of it? Gee, I wonder why homelessness is increasing. what a mystery!

 

Ya, brand new apartment with bathroom, kitchenette with cooktop and microwave.  Delivered meals.  

 

For $375/mo.  

 

 

 

 

 

Ten people are expected to move in each day starting Tuesday from the Mount Tolmie shelter, where about 30 people remain, said Avery Taylor, director of operations for PHS in Victoria. That shelter will then be empty.

 

B.C. Housing’s lease on the Mount Tolmie site expires on Nov. 30. Long-term plans for the site, owned by Island Health, have yet to be determined, a B.C. Housing spokesperson said.

 

The remaining rooms at The Juniper will be filled with people coming from other shelters and some coming directly off the street, Taylor said. The building is expected to be fully occupied by mid-December.

 

 

Each unit has a private bathroom, shower and kitchenette with a full-sized fridge, microwave and hot plate. Four units are wheelchair-accessible.

 

https://www.timescol...acility-7890910

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 November 2023 - 08:10 AM.

[Matt R.]

I'm in Singapore right now and there are no drugs here at all. Mandatory rehab if caught using, death if caught dealing. No homeless encampments either. However, gas is $2.90 a litre, bottle of cheap wine is $35, mickey of Vodka $25.

More than two weeks in and we’ve been all over the place now and still not a whiff of even pot smoke. Nada.

My friend here says it’s more a cultural thing. People will still buy a baggie or whatever for a party but not much more. I’m sure it exists, it’s just not on every street corner in every town everywhere all the time.

[Nparker]

More than two weeks in and we’ve been all over the place now and still not a whiff of even pot smoke. Nada...I’m sure it exists, it’s just not on every street corner in every town everywhere all the time.

In New Zealand, cannabis is medically legal but recreationally illegal. Apparently restricting legal access to something reduces its usage. Whoda thunkit?

https://leafwell.com...-in-new-zealand

[Victoria Watcher]

Advocates in Duncan for the unhoused are worried for their safety as an atmospheric river is forecasted to reach Vancouver Island on Monday.

 

Weeks after the 4-3 vote from Duncan city councillors to not reopen the city’s only extreme weather shelter, advocates are worried for the safety of people living on the streets as another atmospheric river is forecasted to hit Vancouver Island.

 

“They got condemned and crucified out here because they’re homeless,” said Linda Williams, outreach worker.

 

After CHEK News reported on the lack of shelter space, the Cowichan Valley Regional District announced it would open Heritage Hall on the second floor of the Cowichan Community Centre as an emergency weather shelter as needed between Dec. 1 and March 31.

 

 

https://www.cheknews...helter-1180100/

[Nparker]

"Atmospheric river" 🙄

[Victoria Watcher]

Duncan forecast:

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 01 December 2023 - 10:27 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

With all the "wrap-around supports" we offer, nobody taught this guy any life skills?  Why not?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Day has been relying on Haven Toronto for two warm meals a day for 17 years.

 

"If it wasn't for this place, I wouldn't know where to go," said Day.

 

The organization has been serving elderly homeless, marginally housed and socially isolated men for more than 90 years — providing clients with food, clothing, health supports, laundry facilities and showers. Day, who is now 67, says he's been on and off the streets since he was 18 years old, and often experienced being turned away from shelters.

 

 

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...s-men-1.7043314

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 December 2023 - 03:08 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Police officers not only respond to calls relating to criminal offences and public safety, but they are often the first (and sometimes the only) level of response to many complex social issues including homeless encampments, addiction, and mental health related issues. Officers spend significantly more time conducting park checks, enforcing the Temporary Overnight Sheltering Bylaw, and engaging with the homeless population, than ever before.

 

In recent years Saanich has become the home for new housing shelters including the Mt. Tolmie and Albina shelters. This has resulted in an increased call load associated to open drug use and loitering near other community services and vulnerable persons, such as daycares. Additionally, the proximity of other homeless shelters and services, just south of our border in Victoria, has resulted in the migration of individuals to areas in Saanich including Uptown, Tillicum/Gorge, and Shelbourne corridors.

 

 

https://saanich.ca.g...2&meta_id=62665

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 December 2023 - 07:14 AM.

[Beacon]

Police officers not only respond to calls relating to criminal offences and public safety, but they are often the first (and sometimes the only) level of response to many complex social issues including homeless encampments, addiction, and mental health related issues. Officers spend significantly more time conducting park checks, enforcing the Temporary Overnight Sheltering Bylaw, and engaging with the homeless population, than ever before.

 

In recent years Saanich has become the home for new housing shelters including the Mt. Tolmie and Albina shelters. This has resulted in an increased call load associated to open drug use and loitering near other community services and vulnerable persons, such as daycares. Additionally, the proximity of other homeless shelters and services, just south of our border in Victoria, has resulted in the migration of individuals to areas in Saanich including Uptown, Tillicum/Gorge, and Shelbourne corridors.

 

 

https://saanich.ca.g...2&meta_id=62665

 

If you build it, they will come.

Edited by Beacon, 04 December 2023 - 08:53 AM.

[Tony]

Welcome to sharing the responsibility/costs in greater Victoria!

[aastra]

 

...two warm meals a day for 17 years.

 

Seriously though, I would be surprised if I've averaged one warm meal per day over my entire adult life.

[aastra]

It seems like we're still furthering the stigma re: cold meals, as if such fare was somehow unhealthy or barbaric or whatever. It's a delicious tuna sandwich with mayo, baby greens, and some fresh fruit and the side. It's not roadkill.

[max.bravo]

Almost as if the homelessness-industrial complex
is built on optics, psychology , and warm feelings- er, warm meals. Instead of actually providing practical solutions.

[max.bravo]

(I think) aastra was joking. But seriously, on a calories/dollar basis couldnt we feed every homeless person for cents on the dollar with protein bars and canned beans instead of hot meals?