When the pandemic struck in Victoria, it became impossible for most of us to ignore the problem of homelessness any longer. As shelters were forced to reduce occupancy due to COVID-19 restrictions and those precariously housed found themselves homeless due to a myriad of reasons, downtown streets and parks became filled with tents and makeshift shelters.
With the pandemic ongoing and ever-rising housing and other costs, many people are still living outdoors in our community.
Neighbourhood Solidarity with Unhoused Neighbours (NSUN) is a group of Victoria residents working to actualize housing justice and inclusive communities throughout Greater Victoria through solidarity, mutual aid, providing basic humanitarian aid, and centering the right to housing.
We aim to:
– provide a sense of community and social connection between housed and unhoused neighbours,
– listen to and help to address the needs of unhoused neighbours,
– provide material support (tents, sleeping bags, clothing, food), and
– advocate for housing justice.
We meet every two weeks and provide weekly meals in a local park.
The group formed in October 2020 and was originally named Fairfield Gonzales Support for the Unhoused (FGSU). We changed the name to NSUN in June 2021 to recognize that we were not limited to the Fairfield and Gonzales neighbourhoods.
Our members come from all over the Capital Regional District and support unhoused neighbours throughout the region. All of our work is done on a volunteer basis.
While there are many local organizations and services supporting unhoused residents of Victoria, NSUN helps to bridge some of the gaps by providing direct aid and community care based on input and guidance from unhoused neighbours.
NSUN is a signatory to the Victoria Declaration.
Key points
We work in solidarity with and are guided by unhoused neighbours.
All of our work is done on a volunteer basis.
NSUN is a signatory to the Victoria Declaration.
Neighbourhood Solidarity with Unhoused Neighbours 