The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has launched a legal challenge against the City of Vancouver over its cruel and dehumanizing bylaws that prohibit unhoused people from sheltering outdoors during the day. This lawsuit, filed on January 30, 2025, argues that forcing people to dismantle their shelters by 8 a.m.—regardless of weather conditions, disability, or personal safety—is a violation of their rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Sections 7, 12, and 15).
How Many People Are Affected?
The 2023 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count recorded at least 4,821 unhoused individuals, with nearly half of them living in Vancouver. However, the city only has 1,400 shelter beds, many of which are inaccessible due to barriers such as curfews, sobriety requirements, and safety concerns. This leaves thousands of people with no viable shelter options, forcing them into unsafe conditions on the streets.
Personal Stories: The Reality of This Policy
The lawsuit is being brought forward by the BCCLA and three individuals—Zee, Jason, and Brittany—who have experienced the devastating effects of the city’s policies firsthand:
Zee: "Imagine just being alive and everywhere you go, every moment of the day, you are getting a very clear message that there’s no space you can exist in."
Jason: Described the emotional toll of having personal belongings seized, saying, "It’s like someone coming into your house, attacking you, taking your stuff, then destroying your house, and saying ‘have a nice day.’"
Brittany: Lost essential survival items due to enforcement actions, making daily life even harder.
Why This Matters
Forcing people to take down their shelters each morning means they have nowhere to rest, recover, or stay safe during the day. This is particularly harmful to:
People with disabilities who physically cannot carry their belongings around all day.
Women and gender-diverse individuals who face higher risks of violence when constantly displaced.
Elders and those with chronic illnesses who need stable shelter to survive.
The city’s policy is not just cruel—it’s deadly.
A Long Overdue Legal Battle
This lawsuit follows the 2009 BC Court of Appeal decision in Victoria v. Adams, which affirmed that people have a right to shelter overnight when there aren't enough alternatives. However, daytime sheltering remains a legal gray area—one that the City of Vancouver has exploited to continue displacing unhoused people.
The BCCLA’s legal challenge aims to end these harmful practices and push for real solutions based on housing as a human right.
How You Can Help
Share this story. The more public pressure we put on the city, the better.
Support organizations fighting for housing justice, such as the BCCLA and community-led initiatives that provide direct aid to unhoused people.
Demand action from elected officials—real solutions start with safe, permanent, and accessible housing.
Shelter is survival. The fact that this lawsuit is even necessary is proof of how broken the system is. It's time for Vancouver to stop criminalizing poverty and start addressing the root causes of homelessness.
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