Craig “Gunner” Strachan and other residents of Yellowknife’s encampment near the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre are struggling with homelessness but prefer their tents to shelters. Strachan lost his belongings in a fire last week but is determined to rebuild and prepare for winter. The government, while acknowledging encampments’ risks, provides minimal support, citing […]

Fresh Start Services in Saint John, led by Melanie Vautour, is focused on helping people experiencing homelessness, particularly those facing mental health, addiction, and trauma challenges. To address the growing need for supportive housing, a 12-unit building is under construction in the Waterloo Village area. Originally planned for women, the building may also house men

A new homeless encampment in Ajax, Ontario, has drawn attention to the growing shelter shortage in Durham Region. The encampment, set up on October 17 after several surrounding tents were cleared, is a response to the region’s lack of available indoor shelter space. Durham officials stated that while they do not endorse encampments, they recognize

Claudemier and Deidra Bighetty, once homeless and battling severe addictions, are now celebrating sobriety and a fresh start in Winnipeg. Claudemier, 49, is approaching two years of sobriety, while Deidra, 39, marks 19 months. Their journey from the streets—where they struggled with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and alcohol—has been transformative. They met on the streets of Winnipeg,

Saskatchewan’s NDP Opposition is calling for immediate government action to address the growing homelessness crisis, particularly in Saskatoon. NDP deputy leader Vicki Mowat highlighted a significant rise in homeless encampments, with the Saskatoon fire department reporting 1,248 encampments in the first eight months of 2023—nearly triple the number from 2022. As winter approaches, Mowat expressed

On Friday, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation broke ground on a mixed-income housing development along the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg, with officials from local, provincial, and federal governments present. The project, called The Ellswood, will provide 147 energy-efficient housing units at 269 River Ave. in Osborne Village. Of these, 60 units will be “deeply affordable” for those

In Winnipeg, a group of volunteers is preparing 200 backpacks filled with clothing, non-perishable food, and essential supplies to support homeless individuals as winter approaches. The “Backpacks from Heaven” initiative began in memory of Chuck Neufeld’s son, Sean, who died from a drug overdose in 2021. Sean had been helping homeless people with food and

The YWCA’s women’s emergency shelter in Cambridge has been operating at full capacity since its opening earlier this year, consistently turning away women in need. With just 20 beds, the shelter is currently the only 24/7 emergency shelter for women in Waterloo region, and staff have had to reject over 77 service requests in the

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

A groundbreaking ceremony took place in Ottawa’s south end to celebrate a new shelter for Inuit women and children fleeing violence. The shelter, a first of its kind south of Inuit Nunangat, is spearheaded by the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition (OAC) and will provide culturally relevant services rooted in traditional Inuit knowledge. Stephanie Mikki Adams, co-chair