Homelessness

Regional Chief Terry Teegee speaks to the press after Premier John Horgan announced Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria on October 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Prince George bylaw targeting homeless people ‘scapegoats’ the poor, says expert

Municipality criticized for using harsh regulations to force street people from public spaces

 

The Township of Langley Civic Facility. (Langley Advance Times files)

Province funds Langley Township homelessness programs

Provincial funding was announced recently

 

Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Where will homelessness rise or fall? A federally funded AI has some predictions

Helpseeker says numbers should help policy-makers decide on where to put resources

 

Share your opinion via email, through our website or in a posted letter. (Heather Colpitts/Black Press Media)

LETTER: Langley senior calls for better protections for renters

Letter writer would like politicians to do more to protect vulnerable renters

  • Jul 14, 2021
Share your opinion via email, through our website or in a posted letter. (Heather Colpitts/Black Press Media)
Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.

Mom pleads for information about son’s killing at Abbotsford homeless camp

Robert Nelson, 35, described as ‘man who stood for justice, honour, respect’

Robert Nelson, 35, died after being stabbed at a homeless camp in Abbotsford on April 7 of this year.
This Milner motel is being transformed into Langley’s second major supportive housing project, according to BC Housing. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Township council will still have to consider the project

The province announced this week that it has bought a Milner-area motel…

  • May 6, 2021
This Milner motel is being transformed into Langley’s second major supportive housing project, according to BC Housing. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
This Milner motel is being transformed into Langley's second major supportive housing project, according to BC Housing. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Milner hotel transformed into new social housing by province

The $10 million purchase was announced Monday

This Milner motel is being transformed into Langley's second major supportive housing project, according to BC Housing. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)

VIDEO: Man sets off fireworks next to homeless person’s cart in Fraser Valley

No police reports made into incident shared on social media

Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Former Vancouver hotel to be converted to 65 units for homeless people by the fall

The former Days Inn on Kingsway will be ready to house people in November

Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen takes part in an update on the COVID pandemic during a press conference in Ottawa on October 27, 2020. The City of Vancouver says it has purchased a former hotel at a major thoroughfare that can house about 65 units to accommodate homeless people. A joint news release by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and city says 2075 Kingsway, Days Inn by Wyndham Vancouver, will be ready for accommodation this November. The Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen also announced a $51.5 million Rapid Housing Initiative for Vancouver that is expected to create 135 new affordable homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Maureen Brown and her roommates asked for help finding a new place after the Township bought the home they’ve rented for the last few years. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Renters facing eviction from Township-owned house ask for aid

The locals were helped by a tenants right group

Maureen Brown and her roommates asked for help finding a new place after the Township bought the home they’ve rented for the last few years. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Same day well-known Chilliwack homeless man gets shelter built he is taken to hospital

Fraser Health doctor sent to assess James ordered him brought to CGH for proper assessment

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Homeless man says ‘thank you’ to Chilliwack firefighters for building him a shelter

City of Chilliwack received several calls this week from people concerned about James’ safety

James, a homeless man, rests inside his new plywood structure on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. The box was made by members of the Chilliwack Fire Department. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
A homeless couple nap on a Langley City bench in 2018. According to new stats, the number of homeless who live outdoors is on the rise in the City and Township. (Langley Advance Times file)

Our View: Every winter is an emergency for homeless

We could end homelessness if we really wanted to

  • Feb 11, 2021
A homeless couple nap on a Langley City bench in 2018. According to new stats, the number of homeless who live outdoors is on the rise in the City and Township. (Langley Advance Times file)
The cold weather has prompted a need for shelter space for Langley’s homeless. (Roxanne Hooper/Langley Advance Times)

Extra beds in shelters as cold hits Langley’s homeless

Hotel-based housing is helping to ease the need for shelter space

The cold weather has prompted a need for shelter space for Langley’s homeless. (Roxanne Hooper/Langley Advance Times)
A photo of a police incident was posted with an online petition asking the provincial government and Township to do something about the criminal activity in Murrayville. (change.org)

Petition urges government help for Langley neighbourhood harmed by addicts and criminals

Several people have signed, saying Murrayville no longer feels safe due to some motel residents

A photo of a police incident was posted with an online petition asking the provincial government and Township to do something about the criminal activity in Murrayville. (change.org)
Dan Donkers and Andrea Voss of the Salvation Army’s Gateway of Hope in Langley organized the annual Kettle Campaign. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Generosity means Langley Christmas Kettle Campaign exceeds goal by $46,000

The Salvation Army’s Gateway of Hope will put the cash towards local programs

Dan Donkers and Andrea Voss of the Salvation Army’s Gateway of Hope in Langley organized the annual Kettle Campaign. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
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LETTER: Langley homeless numbers growing and many close to being homeless

Local letter writer says he’s concerned about the changes he’s seen over the years

Submit letters to the editor through our website, via email or in writing.
Fraser Holland has been an outreach worker helping Langley’s homeless since 2006. (Langley Advance Times files)

Hurdles to sheltering Aldergrove homeless during coldest nights

Distance from major shelters dissuades Aldergrove homeless from accepting shelter aid

Fraser Holland has been an outreach worker helping Langley’s homeless since 2006. (Langley Advance Times files)
A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Specialist who treated rare disease among homeless wants doctors to be aware of signs

Those four cases this year are the only ones known to have occurred in Canada since the mid-1990s

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Residents of the neighbourhood were used to a few people sleeping overnight in a park before moving on, but they weren’t prepared for an entire village of homeless campers still occupying 400 tents after over three months. They have been demanding the city take action to house campers, especially as concerns have mounted about the spread of COVID-19 among hundreds of people living in tight quarters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Bad weather this year could catch Langley’s homeless without enough shelter space due to COVID-19 concerns. (Langley Advance Times files)

Langley needs new site for Emergency Weather Response shelter

COVID distancing concerns have maxed out existing shelter spaces

Bad weather this year could catch Langley’s homeless without enough shelter space due to COVID-19 concerns. (Langley Advance Times files)