Abandoning the Homeless and People Living in Their Cars, While Pretending to Be in Paradise; Disgrace or Gutless Betrayal?
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
By Robin Campbell, Manna Homeless Society
In Parksville—our postcard-pretty coastal haven—a full-blown humanitarian crisis rages on, and city hall does nothing about it. The number of desperate souls crammed into vehicles has exploded, with recent counts showing around 90 unsheltered people and many more living in their cars in the Parksville-Qualicum area (mostly sleeping rough or in cars), scraping by in hunger, freezing rain, and misery. Yet these officials bury their heads in the sand, flat-out refusing to partner with groups like Manna Homeless Society to provide even basic help.
Picture the preventable horror: untreated trench foot turning septic, landing people in ERs or worse—when a simple mobile foot-care nurse could stop that nightmare. Without safe spots to distribute food, coats, blankets, and survival gear, these people wander the streets, begging, disturbing shopkeepers, spiking tensions and carrying out petty crime. What is wrong with Parksville? Allocate one small patch of land for a few supervised hours a week! Let volunteers hand out dignity without fear. Families in rusting cars could eat in peace, loitering would drop, and emergency calls would plummet.
Look at Nanaimo and Victoria: their pop-up hubs work well—no vandalism, no chaos, just stabilized lives, safer streets, and human decency restored. Success is proven, inexpensive, and right in front of you.
But Parksville chooses willful blindness. Is it apathy, prejudice, or fear of “enabling” poverty? This refusal isn’t just morally wrong—it’s reckless, inviting lawsuits for neglecting vulnerable residents amid rising vehicle homelessness. Denying even minimal aid spots is unconscionable, cruel, and cowardly.
Parksville, wake up. Embrace compassion, stop the disaster you’re courting, and join models that save lives. Or own your legacy: a shining tourist trap built on the backs of the forgotten, drowning in shame.
For context on the claims (based on recent public data as of early 2026):
• The most recent Point-in-Time (PiT) homeless count for Parksville/Qualicum (conducted April 29, 2025, and released later) identified 94 people experiencing homelessness in the area, down slightly from 103 in 2023. The vast majority (90 out of 94) were unsheltered, which doesn’t include sleeping outside, in vehicles, or in temporary situations like couch surfing.
• Manna Homeless Society has reported that the number of “hidden homeless” (including those in vehicles) feels higher in outreach, with estimates of 60 people living in cars/vans in the region, often preferring that over other options to maintain dignity.
• There is no permanent overnight shelter in Oceanside (Parksville/Qualicum area), and efforts like safe parking proposals have faced resistance (e.g., the mayor calling it a non-starter in some reports). Manna has faced challenges, including being asked to vacate a Salvation Army parking lot site in February 2026 due to complaints.
• Nearby areas like Nanaimo and Victoria have implemented various pop-up or supported sites with reported positive outcomes for stabilization. This issue remains contentious locally, with advocates pushing for more action amid high housing costs and living expenses.
We need your support and assistance to motivate people in positions of power who are able to see this dream come true.
Monetary donations can be made by e-transfer to:
Or cheques can be sent to:
Manna Homeless Society
PO Box 389
Errington BC VOR 1VO
