This post is intended as a companion piece to the article in the latest issue (December, January, February) of the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association The Observer newspaper (available online and on paper at the FGCA Centre at 1330 Fairfield Road) – simply click on the topic that you are interested in from the list belowContinue reading “Support your Unhoused Neighbours this Winter”
Author Archives: nsunvictoria
IPAC Pitch Competition
On June 27, 2024, I participated in a pitch competition offered by the Institute of Public Administration Canada (IPAC). The topic of the pitch competition was Housing and Homelessness: Community Solutions. We only had 3 minutes to speak and we could use a single slide (here’s an image of mine below). I’ve created a movieContinue reading “IPAC Pitch Competition”
Impressions of 953/959 Balmoral
On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Neighbourhood Solidarity with Unhoused Neighbours members were invited to tour the newly opened supportive housing building at 953/959 Balmoral (which I now know has been named The Lily). This is a report from one of the NSUN members who toured the building. This building was originally scheduled to open inContinue reading “Impressions of 953/959 Balmoral”
NSUN on a summer break – but still lots of action around homelessness!
Just a heads up that NSUN is on a summer break from formal meetings for June, July and August 2024. We’ll resume meetings in September. However there is still lots going on in terms of homelessness issues and activities to support unhoused and other groups during the upcoming weeks. First we must talk about JuneContinue reading “NSUN on a summer break – but still lots of action around homelessness!”
Housing Justice Project Report Release Event
NSUN was honoured to be asked to support the Housing Justice Project group as they spoke to the media and the public from the steps of the Legislature on May 7, 2024. They released their comprehensive report Homes for All: Evaluating the Right to Housing in Victoria, spoke about their personal journeys of homelessness andContinue reading “Housing Justice Project Report Release Event”
NSUN Members Address Mayor and Council
On April 11, 2024, six speakers – three of who are members of NSUN – addressed the City of Victoria Mayor and Council around various issues associated with the homelessness crisis. In the list below are links to individual posts for each of the NSUN speakers as well as a note of when Bernice andContinue reading “NSUN Members Address Mayor and Council”
Susan Z. Martin Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024
NSUN member Susan Z. Martin spoke to council about the slow pace of housing construction for those most in need in the CRD and what NSUN sees as a viable and quickly available alternative – sanctioned encampments. See Susan’s address beginning at about 38:35 minutes into this video. The text of her address is here.Continue reading “Susan Z. Martin Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024”
Niki Ottosen and Tammilyn C. Address Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024
NSUN member Niki Ottosen, founder of The Backpack Project, was the first speaker of six to address council at their meeting on April 11, 2024. Niki spoke about the harassment of unhoused people by City of Victoria bylaw officers. The text of her address is here and you can watch her starting at about 23:00Continue reading “Niki Ottosen and Tammilyn C. Address Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024”
Helen Smith Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024
NSUN member Helen Smith spoke to council on April 11, 2024 about the human rights violations perpetrated by Bylaw Officers on the unhoused and the moral obligations of the municipal government and the public to do better. See Helen’s address beginning at about 32:00 minutes into this video. The text of her address is here.Continue reading “Helen Smith Addresses Mayor and Council – April 11, 2024”
Webinar: Human Rights Solutions to Encampments
On March 26th, the Federal Housing Advocate, Marie-Josée Houle, moderated a panel of lived experts and grassroots organizers who spoke to how all levels of government can work together to address the urgent and life-threatening crisis of encampments, in collaboration with encampment residents. Houle recently released her comprehensive report and her urgent call for a humanContinue reading “Webinar: Human Rights Solutions to Encampments”
Neighbourhood Solidarity with Unhoused Neighbours 