www.vicnews.com • A5
GOLDSTREAM NEWS GAZETTE - Friday, April 12, 2013
Homeless spotlighted in time for election Daniel Palmer News staff
Greater Victoria residents want action on homelessness and the government needs to deliver. That’s the message the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness wants provincial politicians to hear as they move into campaign mode. “The community awareness is there,” said Andrew Wynn-Williams, coalition executive director. On Wednesday, Wynn-Williams released the results of a survey that shows 84 per cent of Capital Region residents believe affordable housing is the responsibility of the government. More promisingly, nearly 60 per cent of people believe homelessness can be ended. The survey, completed by R.A. Malatest and Associates, was conducted before the coalition rolled out its “Unacceptable” homelessness campaign in February. “We need to take the results back to whoever gets elected and say you have both the mandate and responsibility to act,” Wynn-Williams said. More than 1,600 people used a Greater Victoria shelter in 2011, according to the coalition’s most recent numbers. While B.C. Housing has been making gains to increase housing options, the Capital Region is losing out on
Sharon Tiffin/News staff
A homeless person takes shelter and gets some sleep in a doorway on Fort Street. federal funding compared to other Canadian cities, Wynn-Williams said. “The federal government has just announced they’re extending the homelessness partnership strategy, but Victoria will only get about $1.8 million over the next three years.” The cash works out to about $4.50 per person, while Vancouver’s funding equals about $9 per person, he said. Victoria isn’t getting its fair share of funding because of an “arcane” formula that distributes cash based on city size, not region size, said Murray Rankin, Victoria MP. “We have 78,000 Victorians, and that’s how the money is allocated,”
he said. “We don’t get our fair share.” Wynn-Williams said he’d like to see the federal government
distribute funding based on census metropolitan areas, which accounts for the population of the Capital Region.
The survey also asked residents what the primary causes of homelessness are. Most said mental health issues and alcohol and addiction abuse. “Those are risk factors, but the cause of homelessness is the environment we put those people into,” Wynn-Williams said. High rent combined with low vacancy rates means people on income assistance are still at risk for homelessness, despite receiving some support, he added. For full results of the survey, visit victoriahomelessness.ca. dpalmer@vicnews.com
What do you think? Email editor@goldstreamgazette. com or comment online at www. vicnews.com
Notice
is hereby given that on April 13th 2013 West Shore U-Lock Mini Storage Ltd., 1621 Island Highway, Victoria B.C. will sell the contents of the lockers listed below if the monies owed are not paid and contents removed from the premises;
Operated by the Non-Profit Glenshiel Housing Society
Affordable Living for Independent Seniors
HAVE THE CITY AT YOUR FRONT DOOR
READY FOR A MAKEOVER?
• All inclusive monthly rates start at $1,100 • 3 home cooked meals daily • Daily housekeeping • 24 hour security • Many social activities
John Neill Chris Busch Naomi Wilson Charles Atkinson
Contents will be sold on location at 1621 Island Highway by process of sealed bid. Viewing will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on April 13th 2013.
Call 250-383-4164 to arrange a tour
LOOK YOUNGER WITH MORE EVEN TONED SKIN!
606 Douglas St. • www.theglenshiel.bc.ca
Skin Rejuvenation full face peel combo ~$295/treatment
1427B 2118A 2073A 1259A
P.C.A Enzyme Mask $10 OFF
LASER HAIR REMOVAL! Lower Face ~$149/treatment
NEW BLU LIGHT TEETH WHITENING 2-8 shades whiter in 20 minutes ~ 10% OFF
“Our Family Serving Your Family since 1974”
AD O RA SKIN LASER CLINIC
105-1638 McKenzie Avenue Tuscany Village • 250-386-2030 www.skinlaserclinic.ca
You’re Invited to the Juan de Fuca NDP Campaign Office Opening www.JohnHorgan.bcndp.ca John.Horgan@bcndp.ca 250-474-5511
S
DI
Offers expire April 30, 2013
CHECK OUT OUR PRICES ON CELLEX-C , VIVIER, AND LA ROCHE - POSAY.
EN
SC
I OR
THUNDERBIRD S
T
BOTOX ~ $9 per unit LATISSE ~ $125 SKIN TAGS, MILIA, RUBY POINTS can be removed from $50 NAIL FUNGAL TREATMENTS from $75
OU
N
INSURANCE BROKERS LTD.
250-385-9795
FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION
1032 Yates St., Victoria, B.C.
MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM • OPEN SATURDAY 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
www.thunderbirdinsurance.com
Join Candidate John Horgan on Sunday, April 14th, 2–4pm #104–2780 Veterans Memorial Parkway Meet John, ask questions, sign up to volunteer, get a lawn sign, have some fun!
Change for the Better, One Practical Step at a Time AUTHORIZED BY KATHY PALMER, FINANCIAL AGENT
JH-BP-1304.indd 1
2013-04-05 5:03 PM