Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Vancouver shelter over capacity amid decampment

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Apr, 2023 03:26 PM
  • Vancouver shelter over capacity amid decampment

VANCOUVER - The president of the Union Gospel Mission says Vancouver's forced shutdown of an encampment has added another layer of stress to its staff as they put mats in hallways for the overflow of those needing shelter.

Dean Kurpjuweit said Monday their shelter has been at capacity for the last few months, but they had to go over the limit the last few nights to accommodate everyone.

“We have got a number of rooms where we put people in bunk beds and then we have kind of a common space where we put down mats and then in the hallways that lead to the rooms, we put some mats down there,” said Kurpjuweit.

Vancouver police and city staff moved into the Downtown Eastside encampment last Wednesday to dismantle and throw away belongings, tents and other structures that lined the sidewalks on Hastings Street.

Mayor Ken Sim, along with the fire and police chiefs, said the fire danger and increased crime meant the encampment had to be dismantled.

Kurpjuweit said they did all they could to give people a warm, dry place to stay, but they still had to turn some away.

“We all understand that encampments are less than ideal, but on the same hand, if you are going to do that, you need to have enough spots for people to go to and there are not enough spots."

The Union Gospel Mission has been reaching out to fellow organizations to find spaces for these people, including the First United Church and the Salvation Army.

“Unfortunately, everybody seems to be at the same point we are, which is more people than we have space,” said Kurpjuweit.

He said whenever they are over capacity, and more people are asking to stay, it's stressful for them.

"Everything just kind of gets amplified a little bit more."

Members of the group Stop the Sweeps Coalition were distributing coffee, snacks, tents and blankets to people at Oppenheimer Park on Monday.

Ryan Sudds, an organizer with the group, said some residents he spoke with had returned to Hastings Street over the weekend, but city crews chased them out again.

“When the city was coming around yesterday in the rain, people were angry, people were upset, people were fed up. It has been five days now and people are getting angrier and angrier about what’s happening,” said Sudds.

He said many of those who were on Hastings Street are taking what is left of their belongings and setting up in other areas.

“For the folks who are getting displaced on the block, and they don't have shelter or housing, the city isn't offering them anything besides maybe (suggesting) 'you can go to the CRAB Park,'” said Sudds.

The Union Gospel Mission has offered the unhoused blankets, toiletries, clothes and Easter meals.

Kurpjuweit said those are just a “temporary reprieve from the circumstances.”

“We’re going to continue to advocate for permanent solutions to get all of our community members housed, and in a place where they can live independent lives.”

Sim said during a news conference last week that the longer the street camp continues, the higher the odds that more people will lose their lives and even more people will lose their homes to the fire hazard.

MORE National ARTICLES

Charges laid in March 12th shooting incident

Charges laid in March 12th shooting incident
37-year-old Craig Truckle of Nanaimo and of no fixed address has been arrested in connection with the March 12th shooting which sent a 39-year-old man to hospital with serious injuries. At approximately 11 pm on Wednesday Truckle was arrested without incident in downtown Nanaimo by front line officers and taken into police custody.

Charges laid in March 12th shooting incident

Funeral for 2 officers shot and killed in Edmonton

Funeral for 2 officers shot and killed in Edmonton
The funeral for Const. Travis Jordan, who was 35, and Const. Brett Ryan, who was 30, is planned to be held in the afternoon at the home arena for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. The service is not open to the public but there will be a livestream, which is to be broadcast in an outdoor plaza near the arena.

Funeral for 2 officers shot and killed in Edmonton

Border crossings returning to pre-pandemic hours

Border crossings returning to pre-pandemic hours
The changes will take effect on March 31. The border agency first restricted hours at land border crossings in April 2020, closing many points of entry early and stopping 24-hour service at seven crossings.

Border crossings returning to pre-pandemic hours

Audit finds major barriers on planes, trains

Audit finds major barriers on planes, trains
Auditor general Karen Hogan says in the report that Via Rail and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority have made accessibility improvements over the last several years, but serious gaps still remain.

Audit finds major barriers on planes, trains

Budget to include rebate to help with groceries

Budget to include rebate to help with groceries
The NDP had called on the federal government to extend the measure. In the lead up to the budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has promised targeted inflation relief for low-income Canadians.

Budget to include rebate to help with groceries

PM stayed in $6k London suite for royal funeral

PM stayed in $6k London suite for royal funeral
The stay at the Corinthia London hotel became the subject of public debate last fall when media honed in on the details of the $400,000 trip, after obtaining documents through access-to-information requests.

PM stayed in $6k London suite for royal funeral