Vancouver Homeless

It's difficult to hear about Vancouver 'homeless' problem without thinking that it really is 'Canada's Homeless" problem. I work in Vancouver Downtown Eastside and it's obvious that so many of the homeless have come from eastern Canada.  There's a season factor and a 'drift' factor.  You can't live on the streets in Winnipeg.  So people without a place and no opportunity out east move west.
Amsterdam just denied outsiders access to marijuana because they'd become Europe's drug addicted capital.  Vancouver is Canada's and the homeless problem has a lot to do with drug addicts from the east seeking the better climate that is so attractive in Vancouver. It rarely snows in Vancouver. I ride my motorcycle year round. I certainly couldn't do that in Winnipeg or Ottawa.
Further, there is a 'homeless' problem in Vancouver because Vancouver is the most attractive city in Canada with the highest priced downtown real estate. Further there are tremendous services for people in Vancouver and tremendous entertainment opportunities, not the least of which is Stanley Park and Granville Island.  It's a beautiful city.
There is no 'homeless' problem per se in Kelowna or even Prince George.  Not surprisingly the cost of land per square foot is a tenth of what it is in downtown Vancouver.
I think often talking about the "homeless' problem in Vancouver is kind of like talking about the 'homeless' problem in 'Rodeo Drive' Los Angeles.
Some of the 'homeless' problem is down right 'entitlement' with people naturally demanding to live in the centre of the most beautiful city with the most temperate climate in all of Canada.  Some of it is Canada's problem transferred to Vancouver.
The sad part is the much of it is the seriously mentally ill. The stigma of mental illness and addiction makes these people 'homeless' simply becuase they're not 'cuddly' like spotted owls or 'pretty forests'.  No one cares for their fellow man when they smell, are angry and afraid and often are cognitively impaired.  This is not new. That part of the 'homeless' problem is just a continuation of the old story which is 'it's okay to abuse the mentally ill and those suffering the disease of addiction."