‘Let’s not forget’: Hundreds of veterans remain homeless this Remembrance Day
Posted November 11, 2021 9:10 am.
Last Updated November 11, 2021 9:11 am.
It’s a heartbreaking reality on this Remembrance Day: Hundreds of veterans across the country don’t have a place to call home, including dozens who live in Metro Vancouver.
Despite the services and programs available for veterans, nearly 800 of almost 20,000 people who are experiencing homelessness in Canada served in the Canadian Armed Forces, according to a 2018 report from Employment and Social Development Canada. More than 100 of them are in Metro Vancouver, according to a 2020 homeless count.
“We really think it’s important that people realize there are many veterans who are struggling in the Downtown Eastside and across the province and across our country,” Jenny Konkin, co-founder of Whole Way House Society, told CityNews.
But this is far from a new problem.
Whole Way House Society operates the Veterans Memorial Manor on the Downtown Eastside, which opened its doors in 1986 after a survey years before revealed that more than 900 veterans lived in the area, many in deplorable conditions and on the brink of homelessness — if not homeless already.
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Today, about 30 veterans live at the home.
“Many of them have experienced homelessness in their lifetime, many more recently — and we are seeing an increase in seniors in general finding themselves homeless in their older years,” Konkin said. “Of course, due to rising housing costs as well as different life circumstances, [there are] difficulties having successful tenancies.”
She says a challenge is many veterans find it hard to ask for help, especially those who come from a generation where there was a lot of stigma around asking for assistance.
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“For veterans who are out there who may not have access to services that they are needing or wanting, I really encourage them to reach out because we care. There are people out there who care about you and want to support you,” Konkin said.
“We’re so thankful for everything that was sacrificed so that we do have the freedoms we enjoy today and there is a possibility of receiving the help and community and sense of belonging that you need and deserve.”
Her message for everyone else this Remembrance Day: Let’s really not forget.
“Be aware that there are veterans who are struggling with homelessness and who need and deserve our support. So, lets not forget but let’s actually take action to help those who are struggling.”
With files from Nikitha Martins and Mike Lloyd
