Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

Four of Flair Airlines leased aircraft seized

Four of Flair Airlines leased aircraft seized
Flair Airlines says passengers were "impacted" after four of its leased aircraft were seized in Toronto, Edmonton and Waterloo, Ont., in what the company is calling a "commercial dispute." Flair issued a statement on Saturday calling the move by "a New York-based hedge fund" to take the aircraft "extreme and unusual."    

Four of Flair Airlines leased aircraft seized

One found dead in an apartment fire in the Whalley area of Surrey

One found dead in an apartment fire in the Whalley area of Surrey
 Surrey Fire Service say they found one person dead inside an apartment after a fire in the Whalley area.  The Surrey RCMP were also called in to the 13300 Block of 104th Avenue where the fire took place at around 8:30am on Saturday.     

One found dead in an apartment fire in the Whalley area of Surrey

RCMP looking for man wanted on BC wide warrant

RCMP looking for man wanted on BC wide warrant
A province wide warrant has been issued for 24-year-old Austin Durocher, who is charged with one count each of assault, assault by choking, suffocating or strangling, causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal and uttering threats.

RCMP looking for man wanted on BC wide warrant

Clocks across Canada to jump forward

Clocks across Canada to jump forward
B.C. Premier David Eby says the province wants to remain "in sync" with West Coast American states and he's "very much looking forward to getting rid of daylight saving time." B.C.'s time change at 2 a.m. Sunday morning may be its last.  

Clocks across Canada to jump forward

Vancouver Police release video of suspect responsible for a string of purse thefts in Downtown

Vancouver Police release video of suspect responsible for a string of purse thefts in Downtown
Vancouver Police are releasing video of recent purse thefts in highly populated businesses in the downtown core to illustrate how easily this crime can happen. The following incidents have been reported since January, and investigators believe that the same person is responsible for all. 

Vancouver Police release video of suspect responsible for a string of purse thefts in Downtown

B.C. dropping vaccine rule as it launches boosters

B.C. dropping vaccine rule as it launches boosters
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the next round of boosters will target people at the "highest risk" of severe illness. That includes people aged at least 80, Indigenous people aged at least 70 and long-term care residents.

B.C. dropping vaccine rule as it launches boosters