Survey of homeless in Lower Mainland attracts surplus of volunteers

JEREMY NUTTALL
Special to The Globe and Mail
March 12, 2008

Volunteers had to be turned away from the Lower Mainland's homeless count this year as more people than ever before wanted to help with the 24-hour survey.

It was conducted on Monday night, beginning at midnight.

The last count was three years ago, and it showed a significant increase in homelessness in suburban areas of Vancouver. This year, as a result, there were more volunteers from those regions.

Pastor Linda Rubidoux of the Northside Foursquare Church in Port Coquitlam said homelessness in the Lower Mainland is becoming a key issue in her city, and more people are coming to her church asking how they can lend a hand.

"Everyone wants to know, 'Is it really as serious as people say?' " she said. "They just want to help."

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See also Homeless tally expected to rise in Vancouver from the CBC