Mobile outreach workers address housing support gap outside downtown Victoria

As downtown Victoria draws resources for its homeless population, a new team is dedicated to helping people who are struggling outside of the core.

As downtown Victoria draws attention and resources for its homeless population, a new team is dedicated to helping people who are struggling outside of the core.

The Mobile Mission Van has been on the road for roughly three months, delivering food, clothing, and other essentials to roughly 200 unhoused people across southern Vancouver Island each week.

“Not all our unhoused folks are just right downtown,” said Mobile Mission supervisor Brooke Wright.

“While there’s a lot of incredible services out there, sometimes people are hesitant to access them. It might be a proximity issue or a stigma issue.”

The van is operated by the Union Gospel Mission, which also has outreach vehicles in the Lower Mainland.

“We’ll go in and meet people right where they live and build a relationship with them, so they can feel safe to access those services,” Wright said.

On Tuesday morning, the van’s first stop of the day was at Pemberton Park, near the border of Oak Bay and Victoria. There, Wright and her outreach partner, Will Chapman, whipped up instant noodles and hot chocolate for people living rough.

“We’re finding more community members who don’t fall into the category of having addiction or mental health needs,” Chapman said. “They have literally just lost a paycheck and they’re either living in an RV or a vehicle.”

Ross Turchyn lives in a park and has gotten to know Chapman and Wright over the past few months.

“Because I’m disabled in B.C., I get $500 a month for rent, including utilities,” Turchyn said.

“I’m severe celiac and so, if I live outside, then I can afford my medical control diet. If I move inside with my $500-a-month rent as a disabled person, I suddenly sacrifice my health,” he said.

“It’s an easy choice: food or rent?”

Turchyn said the Mobile Mission team gives him hope.

“There are agents for change at an organizational level that can change these situations across Canada for a lot of people,” he said.