While this year’s count was cancelled because of the pandemic, the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness (the Coalition) estimate the city’s unhoused population is currently more than a hundred. Most cite high rents as the principle barrier to their finding permanent accommodation. BC Housing is proposing to fund the build and operations of a 50 unit supported housing building at 580 Dogwood street. This sparked neighbourhood resistance and, at this point, 1,424 people have signed a Change.org petition against the project.
Continue reading Opposition to Affordable Housing at 580 Dogwood StreetTag Archives: Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness
Campbell River’s Bridge To Housing For The Homeless
When the last count was taken, two years ago, there were at least 81 homeless people in Campbell River. After COVID hit, the homeless population was identified as one of the most vulnerable sectors of the community in the province. On July 16, the Campbell River Coalition to End Homelessness hosted a ZOOM meeting to discuss the former Rose Bowl restaurant’s role as a Bridge to housing.
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Coalition To End Homelessness Asking The SRD To Reconsider Delay To Cortes AffordAble Housing Project
It has been two months since the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) put the public hearing for Cortes Island’s affordable housing project, originally scheduled for last April, on hold until September. When they applied, the Cortes Island Senior’s Society explained that delaying the project would lessen their chances of obtaining a $2 million grant from BC Housing. Now, in one of the letters to submitted for the July 22nd board meeting, the Coalition to End Homelessness is asking the SRD to reconsider.
Continue reading Coalition To End Homelessness Asking The SRD To Reconsider Delay To Cortes AffordAble Housing Project
The Definition of Homelessness In Our Area
Summer is here, and with it an increase in the number of homeless people in our communities. According to Sue Moen, the Salvation Army’s representative in the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness, this problem goes back about forty years – to when the federal government stopped subsidizing affordable housing. In the wake of the COVID pandemic, many Canadians have come to the realization that issues like this are community problems and we all need to seek solutions. In this morning’s interview, we talk about the definition of homelessness.
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BC’s Minimum Wage Insufficient
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As of June 1, minimum wage workers in the province earn $14.60 an hour, up from $13.85. But low wages, part-time or precarious work, coupled with low vacancy rates and high rents, are significant drivers of homelessness in the North Island region, said Kristi Schwanicke, co-ordinator of the Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness.
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