Homelessness Action Week (formerly known as Homelessness Awareness Week) is an annual week-long campaign held in over 20 communities in
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include ...
, Canada. In
Metro Vancouver
The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), or simply Metro Vancouver, is a Canadian political subdivision and corporate entity representing the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver, designated by provincial legislation as one of the 28 ...
, the week is sponsored by the Greater Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness.
The first Homelessness Action Week began in 2006 as a way to increase participation and public support for solving
homelessness
Homelessness or houselessness – also known as a state of being unhoused or unsheltered – is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and adequate housing. People can be categorized as homeless if they are:
* living on the streets, also kn ...
by government, the private sector, communities and individuals. The week promotes initiatives and projects that directly affect communities in a positive way, holding events for and about people who are homeless. It is supported by notable local figures such as former B.C. premier
Mike Harcourt
Michael Franklin Harcourt, OC (born January 6, 1943) served as the 30th premier of British Columbia from 1991 to 1996, and before that as the 34th mayor of Vancouver, BC's largest city, from 1980 to 1986.
Early life and education
Harcourt was ...
, Vancouver Whitecaps president
Bob Lenarduzzi
Robert Italo Lenarduzzi, OBC (born May 1, 1955) is a former North American Soccer League player, Canadian international, and coach of the Canadian national and Olympic soccer teams. He is currently club liaison for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He ...
, and musician
Jim Byrnes.
Homelessness Action Week 2008 has over 20 participating communities throughout
B.C. and the
Yukon
Yukon (; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and also referred to as the Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three territories. It also is the second-least populated province or territory in Canada, with a population of 43,964 as ...
. The week was proclaimed by the provincial government as Homelessness Action Week in 2007 and 2008. The communities participating in the week include:
Abbotsford,
Metro Vancouver
The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), or simply Metro Vancouver, is a Canadian political subdivision and corporate entity representing the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver, designated by provincial legislation as one of the 28 ...
,
Prince George Prince George may refer to:
People
British princes
* George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence (1449-1478), middle brother of Edward IV and Richard III.
* Prince George Augustus, later George II of Great Britain (1683–1760)
* Prince George Will ...
,
Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland, (17 December 1619 (O.S.) / 27 December (N.S.) – 29 November 1682 (O.S.)) was an English army officer, admiral, scientist and colonial governor. He first came to prominence as a Royalist cava ...
,
Kamloops
Kamloops ( ) is a city in south-central British Columbia, Canada, at the confluence of the South flowing North Thompson River and the West flowing Thompson River, east of Kamloops Lake. It is located in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, ...
,
Kelowna
Kelowna ( ) is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the head office of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The name Kelowna derives from the Okanagan word ' ...
,
Nanaimo
Nanaimo ( ) is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. As of the 2021 census, it had a population of 99,863, and it is known as "The Harbour City." The city was previously known as the "Hub City," which was ...
,
Nelson
Nelson may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey
* ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers
* ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...
,
Whitehorse
Whitehorse () is the capital of Yukon, and the largest city in Northern Canada. It was incorporated in 1950 and is located at kilometre 1426 (Historic Mile 918) on the Alaska Highway in southern Yukon. Whitehorse's downtown and Riverdale areas ...
, and
Victoria. Events include: peaceful
demonstrations
Demonstration may refer to:
* Demonstration (acting), part of the Brechtian approach to acting
* Demonstration (military), an attack or show of force on a front where a decision is not sought
* Demonstration (political), a political rally or prot ...
,
discussion forums, food drives, photo exhibitions, films, and service fairs for people who are homeless.
Image:ID_08-S.jpg
As of 2021 Homeless Action Week is still happening in Vancouver and supports community and grassroots events.
Grants
See also
*
Homeless Persons' Week
Homeless Persons' Week (HPW) is an annual event publicizing the plight of homeless people in Australia. The event is held in the first full week of August each year, and is coordinated by Homelessness Australia, the peak body organisation for the ...
(Australia)
*
Youth Homelessness Matters Day
Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD), according to the National Youth Coalition for Housing the 2018 Youth Homelessness Matters day was held on 18 April 2018. YHMD is an annual day which seeks to highlight the issue of youth homelessness in Aust ...
(Australia)
References
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*
*
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*
External links
Official website
City of Vancouver site
Organizations based in British Columbia
Homelessness organizations
Awareness weeks in Canada
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