Unfortunately $$ has been the colonial g-d for too long. And to those pointing fingers in the heartless blame-game consider this: It cost our society much more in dollars and cents and in common sense to marginalize the sufferers. When people have their basic needs of life covered, there is a significantly lower societal cost in policing, prisons, mental care, hospital care and general community angst. The Scandinavian countries provide a guaranteed income and housing for all, and they also provide transformative justice and prison care with a significantly lower recidivism rate. They have almost zero homelessness. Yes they have a higher tax rate, but they also have a higher standard of living for all.

Cherry-picking all the positives. Did it ever occur to you they just boot the poor out with high taxes? They have bigger problems than you think. But I’ll let you figure it out.

Thanks for sharing your personal story.

I can’t even imagine kicking awake a homeless person. Any man or woman who does this is a pure coward. There are some homeless guys in my area that sleep in the buildings covered areas. They’re usually gone by sunrise prob to avoid such harassment and abuse. Keep up your full time job. And while I don’t know where you live, maybe there is a community centre or gym nearby where you could pay a monthly fee to shower. If you are around West 71st in Marpole, there is a yellow free food pantry cupboard where myself and others leave food and toiletries for anyone who needs them. Take care of yourself and hugs.

Oh no, I'm sorry, and I'm sorry Vancouver does stupid and shallow so well.

Thank you for writing this. I have seen people being treated like this as I walk down the street. I will keep you all in my prayers.
Stay strong.

The biggest difference between the colonialist mindset and the Indigenous way is that settlers mentality is: "I am born with rights" and the Indigenous heartality is: "I am born with responsibilities to serve past, present and future generations and our home Mother Earth."

I'm sorry to hear that things have turned out that way for you, but it sounds like you are making the most of it. I honestly felt so sad to read about someone kicking you while you are asleep, that's brutal! This city is filled with horrible people... But not to worry my friend, some day that will come back to them.

Take care of yourself out there. I wish you well, and hope you will find your way!

It’s so scary to realize that someone can have a full time job and still be homeless. This city has completely lost its soul and the arrogance of those who look down on homeless people makes me sick. I wish I could really believe in karma, but from what I’ve seen in my long lifetime, lots of terrible people manage to get through their entire life without ever having truly suffered in any way. Unless housing is considered a basic right, the situation is only going to continue, and Vancouver is already well on its way to having the types of slums seen in many other countries where the poor just get poorer while the wealthy few at the top own everything and rich tourists come to play while citizens are living in tents and shacks. I’m born here and I can’t believe what’s happened in such a short time.

Bur are YOU willing to pay 45-50% income tax, plus 25% sales tax on most everything but food?
On top of that, the Scandinavian countries have the highest debt to GDP of all Western countries.
All this can be looked up.

You make such a great reminder to everyone; minus a few pay cheques and many, many Vancouverites would find themselves teetering on the edge of where you are now. Even a few points higher on interest or mortgage rates and....big fat reality check time for that guy who'll realize that even at $3000, you can't eat shoes.

I wish there was something I could suggest, or some miraculous idea to offer that might help but I don't have one for you. You sound smart and kind and genuine. That is what will get you through to the other side of where you're at in this moment. Best wishes to you.