Aboriginal homelessness still a problem in Vancouver

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) –  As Vancouver continues to add up the totals after the annual homeless count earlier this week, the city feels the number of aboriginal people who live on the street is still a real challenge.

“We’re still seeing very disproportionately-high numbers of people of Aboriginal descent who are homeless in Vancouver,” says Mayor Gregor Robertson.

Susan Tatoosh is with the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society, which helps run the central shelter near the train station. “We have a transient population; always moving in and out of Vancouver. However, the urgency to continue the shelters where they are is important to the Aboriginal community.”

“The high number of our population here in the Greater Vancouver area sets the tone for the need for a permanent Aboriginal shelter here in Vancouver,” she adds.

According to regional numbers, Aboriginal people make up about two per cent of the general population of Metro Vancouver. But they represent 27 per cent of homeless people.

The results from the city’s annual homeless count will be released in April.

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