| Frequently Asked Questions |
Feb. 22, 2010
How many homeless people are in Victoria?
According to the Homeless Needs Survey 2007 conducted by the Victoria Cool Aid Society, over 1,242 of our residents are homeless or at risk of being homeless. This is considered an undercount as many people, especially families, may not choose to come forward about their situation.
Who are the homeless people in Victoria?
Homeless people in Victoria and the Capital Regional District include those we see on the streets, seniors, families and youth. Many of our homeless are not on the streets, instead they sleep in cars, motels or couch surf. These are the hidden homeless. Aboriginal people are largely over represented, making up a quarter of our homeless or at-risk homeless. Youth also make up a significant portion of our homeless. Research estimates that there are 250 to 300 street youth between the ages of 14 and 24 at any given time in the CRD.
If Victoria's mild climate draws so many homeless people to our city, why should we have to shelter them and pay for their services?
Homelessness is a homegrown issue. About three-quarters of people in the CRD experiencing homelessness or unstable housing are from this region. About 16 percent are from elsewhere in the province and only a small percentage are from outside of BC.
What is the government doing to help Victoria's homeless?
Through the Victoria Steering Committee on Homelessness, all three levels of government work with community organizations and service providers to develop, implement and monitor a homelessness action plan. The Steering Committee provides recommendations to the federal government on funding under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Funding for local projects that address homelessness is one way government is working to help Victoria's homeless. Other initiatives include the Victoria Mayor's Task Force - Impact of Provincial Downsizing, and the Provincial Homelessness Initiative.
I have very little time to volunteer and cannot afford large monetary donations, but want to help solve homelessness in Victoria. How can I help?
There are many ways to help that do not require large amounts of time or money. This includes advocacy, writing a letter to the newspaper to express your support of housing projects, donating used goods or products or services from your business - the possibilities are countless.
