Central Park Tent City washed out

Roy L hales / Cortes Currents - Picture a homeless encampment in a public park. The rains and recent snow have transformed most of the lawn into a massive puddle. The number of tents in Victoria’s Central Park has decreased since last fall, but there were still 45 of them on December 15th. One was sitting on a pallet, which raised the floor above the water, but the neighbouring tents are all in water.

That’s the scene that greets your eyes in Krista Loughton’s video “This is Canada” which was filed in the park on December 21st.

She published it along with an “open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier John Horgan, and all other federal and provincial elected officials who are responsible for social housing and human rights federally and provincially in Canada.”

In the text it says “I, and whoever else likes or shares this video, demand that we find an indoor solution immediately for people who are literally being flooded out of Central Park in Victoria, B.C.”

Sarah Suleman, from CFUV in Victoria, reports:

“On Dec 23, those sheltering in Central park began relocating to Royal Athletic park due to flooding from recent heavy rain and snow. The move comes after a media release was issued the previous day by the City of Victoria addressing the move as well as announcing that extra support would be provided to the homeless community in the form of new tents and bedding.”

“In the statement, Mayor Lisa Helps commented on the situation explaining how the recent fluctuations in the weather have exacerbated the situation. ‘With the recent heavy rainfall, the situation in Central Park has become untenable for those sheltering. As the cold and wet weather continues to make sheltering in parks more challenging, the City is actively working with its partners to secure more safe spaces for people to stay warm and dry, by March 31 at the latest,’ said Helps.”

“Helps also acknowledged the extra support that has been extended to those sheltering in the park. ‘In the meantime, we are grateful to everyone who has mobilized to help move people camping to firmer ground that won’t flood. I’d especially like to thank BC Housing for their continued support,’ Said Helps.”

“The Victoria Fire department and BC housing will be supplying tents, cots and bedding. Discussion have begun with the GSL Group to reuse the Save-on Food Memorial Centre temporary shelter but this option has yet to be confirmed.”

“The media release reiterated that homelessness has been a top priority for the provincial government and the recent storm and pandemic have further highlighted a need to address homelessness within Victoria.”

“Due to social distancing guidelines because of the pandemic, access to indoor shelters and available beds have been reduced as well as overall support for people experiencing homelessness.”

“The Municipal Government is also investing in services and programs such as the salvation army, the Umbrella Society for Addiction and Mental Health, a community care tent, our place society, as well as extending public washroom hours and having bylaw officers conduct daily checks.”

A series of photo from the North Park Neighbourhood Association shows the new tent city in a parking lot, with every tent raised above the pavement’s surface on a pallet.