Health

Vancouver Homeless Problem Making International Headlines

by mtippett | December 20, 2008 at 11:17 am

901 views | 19 Recommendations | 8 comments

Its not very common for a story about Vancouver to make the front page of Technorati (the index of what people are blogging about) but the City's attempts to eradicate homelessness has catipulted this story to prominence. Sheltering the homeless was a central issue in Gregor Robertson's platform during the recent mayoral race.

The mayor of Vancouver and police are trying to find options for compelling homeless people to move off the streets in sub-zero temperatures following the burning death of a woman who had lit a fire in a makeshift shelter to keep warm.
Mayor Gregor Robertson said he had a discussion about the matter with Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu on Friday.

"There is an issue of civil rights there that we have to grapple with, and that is the challenge right now, particularly with people who choose to remain or are convinced that they belong outside," Robertson said.

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RKVancouver

at 13:11 on December 20th, 2008

RKVancouver has contributed a photo to this story.

Soer

at 13:52 on December 20th, 2008

This picture was taken in east vancouver in summer '08.
At first sight it looks like a woman, but it's actually a man.

Soer has contributed a photo to this story.

zeezodean

at 15:05 on December 20th, 2008

I took the photo "Commercial Drive, Vancouver" in August when I was visiting BC from Chicago. The guy was congenial and didn't mind having his picture taken. If you notice, he has a string attached to the dove that apparently never leaves his side. "He has my smile," he said of the bird. One Vancouver local commented on my Flickr page that this person has a female companion who also walks the streets with a bird of her own.

amyjudd

at 15:02 on December 20th, 2008

Just in time for the 2010 Olympics...

Rhonda J Mangus

at 15:09 on December 20th, 2008

As it should! Thank you for this story, mtippett!

uncg2007

at 17:32 on December 20th, 2008

I took these photos on a pleasant summer day. I was walking down Hastings street in order to check out the Pantages Theater when I came upon these people resting on the sidewalk (one gentleman had his dog with him). I asked permission to take the photos and both Gentlemen agreed. Thankfully it was summer. I cannot even imagine what it would be like on a cold Winter day.

uncg2007 has contributed a photo to this story.

allanreyes photography

at 18:42 on December 20th, 2008

I was at the intersection of Main Street and Terminal Ave in Vancouver, BC., in my car waiting for the traffic light to turn green when this "Life Traveler" crossed the street. I quickly grabbed my camera from the back seat and took a picture. This picture was not edited. I really didn't get his face.

"Life Traveler"... he left everything behind and brought with him what he needs and acquired things along the way. Where he goes, no one knows. How he survives is a blessing.

allanreyes photography has contributed a photo to this story.