Housing Solutions and Stories from New Westminster's African Community: A Black History Month Conversation

Name: Housing Solutions and Stories from New Westminster's African Community: A Black History Month Conversation — Hogan's Alley Society
Start: 2025-02-27T17:00:00-0800
End: 2025-02-27T19:00:00-0800
Location: New Westminster Public Library

Thursday, February 27, 2025
5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

New Westminster Public Library 716 6th Avenue New Westminster, BC, V3M 2B3 Canada (map)

Google Calendar ICS

February 27

Celebrating Black History Month Through Black Entrepreneurship

February 27

"Lift Every Voice" Concert with Marcus Mosely - A Black History Month Celebration

Black homelessness statistics

Black people face higher rates of homelessness. In national homelessness surveys from 2020–2022, 8% of people surveyed were Black, compared with about 4% of Canada’s population. In Greater Vancouver’s 2025 homeless count, 9% of people who answered the race question were Black.

These numbers do not capture everyone without a stable home. “Hidden homelessness” includes staying temporarily with friends or family because there is nowhere else to live. Having somewhere to sleep does not mean someone has a secure home. People may also face barriers to services that require a home address or identification. People in these situations are often missed by standard homelessness counts.

Hogan’s Alley Society’s housing research examined the barriers Black communities face when finding and keeping affordable rental housing in Metro Vancouver. We gathered people’s experiences through a survey, interviews and community discussions, alongside an analysis of housing data and policies.

In findings published in 2023, 60% of Black renters surveyed said they had experienced housing discrimination. Among those who experienced discrimination, 80% identified race as a reason. These experiences show why addressing anti-Black racism must be part of efforts to prevent homelessness and support secure housing.

Anti-Black racism can also come from people who belong to other racialized communities. Preventing homelessness requires recognizing and addressing discrimination from whatever source alongside the shortage of affordable housing.

Our Housing Solutions Lab research reports are available to view

view the full report

how to contribute

Additional Programs to support:

If you are able, shop at a social enterprise, donate money or requested items, or consider its services for your workplace or business. These contributions can support housing stability, access to everyday essentials, and opportunities for people facing barriers to employment.

Before donating goods, check what the organization currently accepts and when donations can be received.


Miscellany Finds | Black-owned social enterprise

Shop or donate accepted clothing and household goods. This East Vancouver thrift store reinvests its profits in community programs supporting women and youth with job skills, work experience and access to clothing and household essentials. Call ahead to confirm accepted items and donation times.

Store: 1029 Commercial Drive, Vancouver

Phone: 604-215-9970

https://miscellanyfinds.ca/

Kingdom Acts Foundation | Black-Led community organization

Led by Dr. Godwin Ude and Dr. Blessing Ude, Kingdom Acts Foundation supports individuals and families through food assistance, newcomer support, counselling, youth mentorship, skills training and housing-related programs. Based in Surrey, its work centres Black, Indigenous and other racialized communities while welcoming people from all backgrounds. Its food bank offers weekly food distribution, alongside skills building programs, supporting greater stability and independence. Community members can contribute through financial donations, volunteering or arranging food donations. For food support, call to ask about registration, distribution times and locations.

Phone: 604-343-9905

Email: contact@kingdomacts.ca

https://kingdomactsfoundation.com/

My Sister’s Closet | Battered Women’s Support Services

Shop for clothing and accessories, donate suitable items, or apply to volunteer. Sales help fund BWSS’s violence prevention and intervention services.

Vancouver stores: 3958 Main Street and 1830 Commercial Drive

https://www.bwss.org/about-bwss/my-sisters-closet/

UGM Thrift Store and Found Thrift Boutique | Union Gospel Mission

Shop or donate accepted clothing and household items. Store proceeds support UGM’s programs and services. UGM also offers retail internships for people who have completed its recovery programs, along with opportunities to learn sewing and clothing repair skills.

Vancouver store: 671 East Hastings Street

Found Thrift Boutique: New Westminster

https://ugm.ca/thrift-store

https://ugm.ca/found-boutique

Mission Possible

Donate, hire its commercial services, or explore opportunities to employ a program graduate. Mission Possible provides employment preparation, coaching and paid work experience through MP Maintenance and MP Neighbours for people facing barriers to employment.

https://www.mission-possible.ca/get-involved

https://www.mission-possible.ca/ways-to-give

Good Stuff Connection | North Shore Crisis Services Society

Shop or donate accepted clothing and goods. This thrift store supports housing and community services for women and children leaving abuse. Its clothing program also provides donated items free of charge to clients and people referred by other social service agencies.

Store: 154 West 3rd Street, North Vancouver

https://www.nscss.net/programs/gsc

There are different ways to help, depending on your resources and capacity. Support an organization’s stated needs, share reliable information, or challenge anti-Black discrimination when you encounter it. Community support can help people access essentials, build skills, earn income and move towards greater stability and independence.

Hogan’s Alley Society’s Housing Program

Hogan’s Alley Society’s Housing Program and partnerships support Black households in finding and keeping housing, accessing practical help, and staying connected to community. You can reach out to support the program at ComCareAdmin@hogansalleysociety.org

Hogan’s Alley Society

Hogan’s Alley Society acknowledges that we work and organize on the ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl ̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. We offer our commitment to working in good relations with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples and to working in solidarity to address the long-lasting impacts that colonialism, genocide, and systemic racism have had on Indigenous peoples.

View our Terms & conditions here