Homeless Count
Courier - October 23, 2009
So how many actual homeless people are in Vancouver?
Most social service agencies, politicians and others close to the issue generally agree the number hovers around 1,600. But that doesn't mean 1,600 will sleep on the streets this fall and winter. Vision Vancouver Coun. Kerry Jang, whose job includes working with outreach workers for the mentally ill and homeless, broke it down this way for me:
About 350 reside in the city's three temporary homeless shelters
About 600 find a place to sleep in the various shelters that open as part of the government's cold, wet weather shelter strategy.
About 160 spaces will be provided for homeless people when Dunsmuir opens next month.
That leaves roughly 500 people still without shelter.
MIKE HOWELL, Courier