Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

3 youths arrested for an alleged unprovoked attack with a hammer in Port Moody

3 youths arrested for an alleged unprovoked attack with a hammer in Port Moody
During the physical altercation, one youth allegedly struck the victim with a hammer and another youth allegedly brandished a knife. A total of three suspects fled the scene and soon after, officers located them at a Skytrain station.

3 youths arrested for an alleged unprovoked attack with a hammer in Port Moody

Appointment of new Surrey Ethics Commissioner Peter Johnson

Appointment of new Surrey Ethics Commissioner Peter Johnson
Mr. Peter Johnson is a partner with B.C. law firm, Stewart McDannold Stuart, and possesses more than 30 years of knowledge and experience providing legal advice and assistance to local governments throughout the province on a wide variety of matters. 

Appointment of new Surrey Ethics Commissioner Peter Johnson

PBO: Plenty of immigration staff to meet goals

PBO: Plenty of immigration staff to meet goals
Yves Giroux says his office analyzed the cost of processing applications for economic immigrants through the express entry system for five fiscal years. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, the report said Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has 65 per cent more staff than needed to process applications on time.

PBO: Plenty of immigration staff to meet goals

Liberals remain under pressure on interference

Liberals remain under pressure on interference
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday he will appoint a "special rapporteur" to probe foreign interference in Canada and recommend what more to do about it, among several measures aimed at responding to renewed scrutiny of the Liberal response so far.

Liberals remain under pressure on interference

Trudeau announces new supports for Ukraine

Trudeau announces new supports for Ukraine
Canada will extend the Operation Unifier mission to provide engineering training in Ukraine until at least October, and Canadian medical trainers will be sent to help Ukrainian forces with combat medical skills.

Trudeau announces new supports for Ukraine

Eby: Feds need to reform bail system now

Eby: Feds need to reform bail system now
Eby, speaking at a news conference, says B.C. residents are "very frustrated — and rightly so — with the small group of repeat, violent offenders" who are "cycling in and out" of the justice system.  

Eby: Feds need to reform bail system now