Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

Homeless in Victoria parks to get shelter spaces

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Mar, 2021 11:33 PM
  • Homeless in Victoria parks to get shelter spaces

Homeless people living in Victoria's parks will have shelter spaces by the end of April under a housing agreement between the British Columbia government and the city.

David Eby, B.C.'s minister responsible for housing, says he's found 227 spaces within the city that homeless people can use for shelter, including two new building sites that will be ready for occupancy by April 30.

Victoria's Beacon Hill Park has been the site of a tent encampment of homeless people that has grown during the pandemic, bringing with it crime and community resentment.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says her council is poised to amend its current bylaw that permits 24-hour camping in the park during the pandemic to allow only overnight camping.

Helps says more than 90 per cent of the estimated 200 people camping in city parks have indicated they want to move to an indoor shelter space.

She says the city wanted permanent campers out of the parks by March 31, but council has indicated it is prepared to delay that until May 1.

MORE National ARTICLES

About 15,000 COVID-19 shots booked in B.C. Monday

About 15,000 COVID-19 shots booked in B.C. Monday
The ministry says only 369 bookings were made in Vancouver Coastal, and officials pledged to work with that health authority to get those bookings "back on track."

About 15,000 COVID-19 shots booked in B.C. Monday

11 COVID deaths over 3 days

11 COVID deaths over 3 days
B.C.'s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said creating an online booking system is "quite a large project" and Fraser Health was the only authority with an existing platform.

11 COVID deaths over 3 days

Alberta lifts more COVID restrictions

Alberta lifts more COVID restrictions
Health Minister Tyler Shandro says the retail limit is increasing to 25 per cent capacity from 15 per cent.

Alberta lifts more COVID restrictions

Manslaughter charge in death of off-duty officer

Manslaughter charge in death of off-duty officer
Fifty-five-year-old Const. Allan Young died in July last year, several days after an altercation with another man while Young was visiting Nelson, B.C.

Manslaughter charge in death of off-duty officer

Vancouver Police arrests alleged party hosts for health order violations

Vancouver Police arrests alleged party hosts for health order violations
Manjinder Sagoo, 37, is now charged with three counts of failing to comply with an order of the health officer, contrary to Section 99 on the B.C. Public Health Act.

Vancouver Police arrests alleged party hosts for health order violations

Construction begins on new St. Paul's Hospital

Construction begins on new St. Paul's Hospital
Health Minister Adrian Dix says it's a "great day," as the new site will be a full-service acute care hospital and integrated health-care campus with a capacity for 548 beds.

Construction begins on new St. Paul's Hospital