On December 21, the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region gathered at Whale Wall, Reeson Park, to mark National Homeless Persons Memorial Day—a day dedicated to remembering those who have tragically lost their lives to homelessness and poverty. This candlelight vigil served as a powerful reminder of the systemic challenges unhoused individuals face, as well as a call to action for the collective work needed to end homelessness in our community. The vigil highlighted the profound impact of government policies, the lack of adequate resources, and the urgent need for systemic change. It was not just a night of remembrance, but a night to renew our commitment to ensuring that housing is recognized as a fundamental human right. A Powerful Start to the Evening The vigil began with opening remarks from Sylvia Ceacero, CEO of the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region, who welcomed attendees and emphasized the purpose of the event: to commemorate the lives lost on the streets and to raise awareness about the urgent need for change. Sylvia spoke passionately about the importance of community solidarity and the need to challenge the systemic issues contributing to homelessness. Marlene Stevens, an advocate for Indigenous harm reduction, also shared her thoughts, reflecting on her work with the First Nations Health Authority and the Alliance to End Homelessness. Marlene offered a traditional tobacco offering and read a proclamation on National Homeless Persons Memorial Day, asserting that housing is a basic human right. She shared a personal story of resilience, recalling a former inmate who had successfully turned his life around, a powerful reminder of the importance of hope in overcoming adversity. Personal Stories of Struggle and Survival The evening continued with personal stories from those who have lived through the experience of homelessness. Martin, a former homeless individual and frontline worker, shared his story of being homeless for five years and his work advocating for change. He criticized local municipal policies that continue to displace homeless people and highlighted the tragic case of Shea Smith, a man who was displaced several times before his death. This case exemplified the deep systemic issues that contribute to homelessness. Susan Martin also took the floor, calling for solidarity and better resources for unhoused individuals. She noted that 33% of Victoria’s homeless population is Indigenous, pointing to the need for greater support for marginalized communities. David, another local advocate, spoke poignantly about the recent loss of nine people in just seven days, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent further deaths and provide better resources to the homeless community. Leonard and Brian, both of whom have experienced homelessness firsthand, shared their personal journeys. Leonard spoke about the importance of education and socialization in overcoming the challenges of homelessness, while Brian shared his experience of moving from homelessness to housing, underscoring the importance of housing as a fundamental right. A Call to Action The vigil concluded with a moment of silence for those who have died on the streets, a time to reflect and honor their lives. Sylvia Ceacero reminded those present that, while we mourn those we’ve lost, we must also commit to taking action to end homelessness in our community. She emphasized that homelessness is not inevitable—it is a societal choice, and we have the power to change the system. As we enter the new year, the Alliance to End Homelessness remains dedicated to advocating for affordable and supportive housing. We encourage everyone to get involved and take action, whether through: – Advocating for more affordable and supportive housing to address homelessness. – Writing to local mayors and councils to express concern about the treatment of unhoused individuals and demand immediate action. – Organizing and participating in future events to continue the fight for solutions to homelessness. Together, we can create a community where homelessness is no longer a crisis. By leading with love, equity, and a shared commitment to social justice, we can work toward a future where everyone has access to safe and stable housing. Let’s carry the spirit of this vigil into the new year, with renewed determination to make homelessness a thing of the past. Get Involved Join us in our mission to end homelessness in the Capital Region. Together, we can create lasting change. For more information on how to get involved, visit victoriahomelessness.ca This memorial vigil not only honored those we’ve lost but reignited the call for tangible solutions to homelessness. As we face the new year, let us remain united in the belief that with compassion, collaboration, and determination, we can bring about real change for our unhoused neighbors.

At AEHCR, we are inspired by the incredible work of Cool Aid Community Health Centre, which provides vital healthcare services to over 7,000 vulnerable individuals annually. These include those experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, infectious diseases, substance use issues, and chronic illnesses.

Cool Aid’s mission is to offer barrier-free access to healthcare for those who are precariously housed, homeless, or dealing with complex mental health and substance use problems. This focused approach ensures that the most marginalized receive the care they need to rebuild their lives.

In partnership with Island Health and the City of Victoria, Cool Aid delivers comprehensive services, addressing both immediate health concerns and long-term well-being. However, due to high demand, the centre is currently not accepting new patients and does not keep a waiting list.

Cool Aid operates structured clinics and mobile units to reach individuals unable to visit the main centre, demonstrating their commitment to accessible healthcare. We are excited to announce that AEHCR is adding schedules for these mobile health clinics on our website for June and July 2024. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and ensure more people can benefit from these essential services.

As supporters, we at AEHCR encourage everyone to contribute—whether through volunteering, donating, or raising awareness. Together, we can ensure Cool Aid continues its crucial work, fostering a healthier, more inclusive community for all.

Note: Folks cannot access care from the mobile clinics unless they are residents or clients of the sites. People not connected to a site can access care when the mobile clinics are at Rock Bay Landing or the Pandora corridor.

Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic Schedule Van 1 June 2024
Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic Schedule Van 2 June 2024
Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic Schedule Van 1 July 2024
Cool Aid Mobile Health Clinic Schedule Van 2 July 2024

The Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region, Sylvia Ceacero, was among the distinguished attendees at the recent breakfast event featuring British Columbia’s Premier, the Honourable David Eby.

Premier Eby, who assumed office in November 2022, addressed a diverse audience of business and community leaders. The Premier provided invaluable insights into the pressing issues shaping the province’s future: from economic prosperity to housing, to transportation and more while offering a unique opportunity for attendees to engage in a moderated Q&A session.

Against the backdrop of the upcoming provincial election, the breakfast served as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, enabling participants to contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding the province’s future trajectory.

Understanding the challenges and opportunities facing British Columbia and our Region is integral to inform the Alliance’s continued work of advocating for policy change to address housing and health issues that directly affect homelessness and to propose solutions that will accelerating arriving at functional-zero homelessness sooner.

The Alliance reaffirms its dedication to supporting initiatives that drive positive change and foster collaboration within the community. By participating in events that bring together thought leaders and decision-makers, the Alliance continues to demonstrate its commitment to making meaningful contributions to the prosperity and well-being of the Region.

In conclusion, the Executive Director of the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region’s attendance at the breakfast event with Premier David Eby underscores the organization’s commitment to staying informed, engaged, and actively involved in shaping the future of our Region.

The recent release of the federal budget has sparked optimism and hope in the fight against homelessness across Canada. The Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region (AEHCR) is proud to lend its voice to this campaign and celebrate the significant housing investments outlined in the budget. These investments mark a crucial step forward in addressing the housing crisis and advancing efforts to achieve functional-zero homelessness.

The AEHCR is elated to see the federal government’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis, which represents the most ambitious federal housing investment in over 50 years. This bold plan lays out a clear path towards solving the housing crisis and alleviating homelessness, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the collective campaigning efforts of organizations like ours.

Key highlights from the budget include:

• Extension of Funding for Reaching Home: $1 billion over four years to extend funding for Reaching Home, a critical program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness.
• Public Lands for Homes Plan: A new initiative to convert existing public lands and buildings into new homes, unlocking 250,000 new units by 2031.
• Investment to Respond to Encampments: $250 million federal investment, matched by provinces and territories, to respond to encampments and address homelessness.
• Accelerating Reductions in Homelessness: $50 million to help communities adopt best practices to reduce homelessness and support initiatives aimed at accelerating reductions in homelessness.
• Affordable Housing Fund: $1 billion investment to support non-profit, cooperative, and public housing providers.
• Rental Protection Fund: $1.5 billion to preserve the affordable rental housing stock and protect tenants from displacement.

These policies represent significant progress towards reducing homelessness in Canada, with the federal government promising to build 3.87 million homes by 2031. While these investments will have a long-term impact, more must be done to address the immediate wave of homelessness. The AEHCR advocates for the implementation of a Homelessness Prevention and Housing Benefit to help individuals at risk of homelessness stay housed.

The AEHCR acknowledges that these housing announcements are a result of collective advocacy efforts and the growing political power of the movement to end homelessness. It is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of organizations, activists, and individuals who have tirelessly campaigned for change.

As we celebrate this milestone, the AEHCR remains committed to fighting for the rights of our neighbors without a safe place to sleep and those who are struggling to afford housing. Together, we will continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that ensure everyone in Canada has a safe, affordable, and secure place to call home.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this important cause. Let’s keep pushing forward until homelessness is eradicated in our communities and across the country.

After a year-long consultation engagement, the Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region hosted a Community Plan Partner Gathering on January 30, 2024.

The gathering was opened with a blessing from Elder Sky Lafleur and set the participants in a good way. More than 80 partners dedicated to achieving functional zero homelessness in the Capital Region by 2030 gathered to plan our collective efforts to achieve our collective vision of experiences of homelessness are rare, brief, and non-recurring. During the event, we charted the course for decisive advocacy, enhanced communications, intentional engagement, and system’s transformation.

Throughout the day, the participants engaged in a series of facilitated activities aimed at achieving specific objectives:

Informing Partners: Attendees were briefed on the outcomes of community consultations conducted in 2023, which identified key themes and focus areas essential for addressing homelessness.

Generating Actions: Through interactive exercises, partners brainstormed and shared actionable strategies under the themes of Prevention, Data, Housing, and Other. Emphasis was placed on identifying achievable actions that the community could undertake collaboratively.

Theming Actions: Actions were clustered and themed at tables, fostering deeper discussions and identifying emerging patterns and sub-themes. Flexibility was maintained to accommodate new ideas and ensure comprehensive coverage of all focus areas.

Prioritizing Actions: In a group exercise, participants prioritized actions based on urgency, importance, and secondary status. This facilitated a structured approach to tackling issues and ensured focused efforts on critical areas.

Implementation Planning: The final session focused on discussing the implementation of identified actions. Through a blend of whole-group discussions and individual reflections, participants explored necessary steps, identified key stakeholders, and highlighted opportunities for collaboration.

Throughout the day, facilitators provided guidance and support, ensuring a conducive environment for meaningful engagement and dialogue. Participants actively contributed their insights, experiences, and commitments, fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility towards the community plan.

As the event concluded, participants left energized with a renewed sense of commitment to collectively act on our shared vision of functional-zero for our region and beyond.

The Community Plan Partner Gathering underscores the power of collective action and highlights the community’s commitment to realizing a future where homelessness the goal of functional zero homelessness by 2030 is within reach.