April Lushaw, a resident of Sidney, B.C., has been living in her Jeep Liberty since August 2024 after losing her housing. She relies on disability assistance and struggles to find a rental place while caring for her daughter, who currently stays with her in-laws. Lushaw shared her situation at a public hearing regarding the potential opening of an extreme weather shelter in Sidney, a place she hopes could provide warmth and safety during cold nights. However, after significant public opposition, the city council recently rejected the proposal to rezoning a seniors’ centre for the shelter, citing concerns from residents.
Sidney is one of several Vancouver Island communities grappling with providing shelter for the homeless during the cold winter months. While the B.C. government offers funding for both winter shelters and emergency weather shelters, local governments have the final say in whether to operate them. In Campbell River, the closure of Kwesa Place, a drop-in shelter, has exacerbated the situation, with no suitable spaces available due to zoning restrictions. The city has seen an increase in social disorder and overdose deaths since its closure.
Some areas, like the Cowichan Valley, have found success by using unconventional spaces, such as a closed hotel parking lot, to meet the urgent need for winter shelters. Despite challenges, local leaders acknowledge that addressing homelessness is a long-term issue that requires ongoing solutions.
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