Homelessness Action Week is an opportunity for people who are unhoused to access a wide variety of services – and a chance for others to learn more about homelessness.
The city has proclaimed Oct. 12 to 18 as Homelessness Action Week in New Westminster.
“Homelessness Action Week is our opportunity to bring the experience of the unhoused population into focus, to raise public awareness and to challenge stigma,” said Jack York, a board member with the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society. “People who are unhoused are often the target of stigma or negative and inaccurate beliefs about them.”
York said the stigma faced by people who are unhoused often compounds the struggles they already experience in trying to get their basic needs met.
“The truth is, there are many reasons why people become unhoused, including unaffordable and inaccessible housing, poverty, disability, mental health and substance-use challenges, trauma and discrimination, whether because they are Indigenous, because of their race, gender, or any number of other sometimes-intersecting aspects of their identity,” he said.
York said there are many organizations filled with dedicated individuals working to address the needs of the unhoused population and to mitigate the risks to their well-being and survival, including the toxic drug supply.
“Their commitment to doing this difficult work not only addresses the needs of the unhoused population, but also contributes to the safety and well-being of all residents in the city,” he told city council at its Oct. 7 meeting. “That said, there's much more work to be done. The ever-worsening housing crisis, combined with an ever-more toxic drug supply, make this work as challenging as ever.”
York said the city’s recent efforts to expand outreach to unhoused communities, through the new crisis response project and expanded access to accessible housing options in New West, are commendable and are important, but more action needs to be taken by all levels of government to address the needs of the unhoused population in New Westminster and across the Lower Mainland.
According to York, one short-term step that could be taken locally is to make the nightly shelter on Front Street a 24/7 shelter. He said that would prevent people from being forced to leave the shelter during the day, thereby decreasing the likelihood of negative encounters with community members and local businesses. (The shelter is currently open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.)
York said longer term options that can make a difference in people’s lives include expanding access to substance use and mental health treatment and expanding access to harm reduction and a safer supply of drugs, rather than leaving people to rely on a toxic drug supply.
“The answer to making our communities a safer place is not to pull back on services and to stigmatize and misrepresent unhoused people,” he said. “It is to redouble our efforts to be more innovative and bold and to be led by compassion and a commitment to doing the work that will actually make a difference.”
York said Homelessness Action Week is an opportunity to come together as a city to inform, educate and learn about homelessness, its causes and its potential solutions. He said it is also a time to identify and challenge misconceptions about the stigma toward these community members, to connect and welcome everyone in the community, and to reflect on and celebrate the values of inclusion, equity, community, and compassion that make New West an exceptional place.
“We encourage each of you to take a moment and explore the schedule of events for Homelessness Action Week at nwhomeless.ca,” he said.
The city’s proclamation states that New Westminster is committed to addressing local issues related to homelessness, as reflected in its homelessness action strategy and its new three crises response pilot project.
“The lasting impact of dual public health emergencies and the current affordability crisis has significantly affected those who are unhoused and has placed many in our community at greater risk for homelessness than ever before,” said the proclamation. “This has emphasized the need for more housing that meets a variety of needs, housing supports to keep people housed, and a wide variety of interconnected support services to address the complex needs of the unhoused population in New Westminster.”
What’s happening?
Meals, a free store, a film night, and a Thanksgiving feast are among a jam-packed week of events taking place during Homelessness Action Week in New Westminster.
The week kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 12 with the third annual HAW Community Walk, a community burrito brunch, and the Don’t Go Hungry food support program.
On Monday, Oct. 14, the Union Gospel Mission will host its annual full Thanksgiving meal.
The activities continue on Tuesday with a Connect Day at Holy Trinity Cathedral (service providers will be attending and providing information, coffee, giveaways, etc. and Fraser Health will be providing flu shots, and Covid-19 and other vaccines). A burrito breakfast is also being held at Holy Trinity that day.
On Tuesday night, Douglas College is hosting a film night, featuring a screening of Love in the Time of Fentanyl. It will be followed by a panel discussion.
Wednesday’s lineup includes a UBC dental hygiene clinic, a World Food Day event at St. Barnabas-Shiloh Fifth Avenue church, and a Community Café where community members can learn more about the Will You Be My Neighbour project.
Free haircuts and a free store are being offered on Thursday. The UGM will be hosting its regular breakfast and lunch programs on Thursday and Friday, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be offering a take-away or sit-in dinner on Friday at The Russell.
Homelessness Action Week wraps up on Friday, Oct. 18 with HAW in Hyack Square, which features a Did You Know game with prizes. All community members are welcome to attend this event, which includes an opportunity to meet representatives from the city’s social planning and crisis response teams from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Details about all of the Homelessness Action Week events are available on the New Westminster Homelessness Coalition Society’s website.
