13.4°C Vancouver

Oct 7, 2020 11:12 PM -

Calls for homeless camp to be shut in Vancouver park as council considers plan

Share On
calls-for-homeless-camp-to-be-shut-in-vancouver-park-as-council-considers-plan
Katie Lewis, vice-president of the Strathcona Residents' Association, poses for a photograph 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

Residents of a Vancouver neighbourhood want the city to shut down a homeless encampment at a park where people have been living in about 400 tents since the summer.

Kelsey Mulyk says families in Strathcona have lost use of the park in June. Data from police show calls to the area more than tripled between June and September compared with the same period last year.

Mayor Kennedy Stewart has called a special council meeting for tomorrow night on the city's homelessness problem.

He wants councillors to approve his 30-million-dollar plan to buy or lease hotels and vacant commercial buildings to house about 750 homeless people in the city.

He says that's the best option to get funding from the provincial and federal governments because other ideas councillors have come up with, including putting tents on the lawn of city hall, are not workable in the long term.

Latest news

ihit-investigating-murder-suicide-in-abbotsford
CanadaJul 02, 2025

IHIT investigating murder-suicide in Abbotsford

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) continues an investigation in Abbotsford where two people were found deceased inside a residence. Background: On the evening of June 30, 2025, at approximately 7:46 p.m., Abbotsford Police patrol officers responded to a dispute at a residence in the 36000 block of McKee Road. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence and discovered two deceased adults. IHIT was called to investigate and continues to work in close partnership with the AbbyPD Major Crime Unit, AbbyPD Forensic Identification Service (FIS) and BC Coroners Service to advance th
former-united-conservative-mlas-resuscitating-albertas-once-dominant-pc-party
AlbertaJul 02, 2025

Former United Conservative MLAs resuscitating Alberta's once-dominant PC Party

Two former members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province's once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party. Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie and legislature member Scott Sinclair were booted from caucus earlier this year for pushing back against the Premier Danielle Smith's government and now sit as Independents. Sinclair says the province's two-party system has become too divisive, and they want to galvanize support from Albertans who feel they don't have a political home. Former NDP premier Rachel Notley ended the PC's 44-year
israel-is-ready-to-make-a-ceasefire-in-gaza-for-60-days-trump
WorldJul 02, 2025

Israel is ready to make a ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days: Trump

There may be a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. According to President Donald Trump, Israel is ready to make a ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days. He said that during this time, all parties will try to end the war together. Trump warned Hamas that if it does not accept the agreement, the situation will worsen. Trump said that Qatar and Egypt will send the final proposal of this agreement to Hamas. These two countries have been trying to bring peace for a long time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also visit Washington next Monday, where he will meet Trump at the White House.
more-flexibility-for-development-charges-will-unlock-more-homes-for-people
BCJul 02, 2025

More flexibility for development charges will unlock more homes for people

More affordable homes will be on the way quicker as the Province takes steps to speed up construction timelines and reduce up-front costs for homebuilders. “We are committed to finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to build housing, so everyone has a fair chance to live in communities where they work and belong,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These changes are about supporting housing development and easing the financial burden on builders and developers so they can get shovels in the ground faster to help unlock more homes for people in B.C.”
WorldJul 02, 2025

Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of most serious charges, convicted of prostitution-related offenses

Sean ``Diddy Combs has been convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted on the most serious charges at his New York trial on Wednesday. The mixed result could still put Combs behind bars for up to a decade. Combs was convicted of transporting people across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. But the jury acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, which were related to allegations that he forced girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with other men. His lawyers said the women were willing participants.

Related News