Langley students tackle youth homelessness in the city
More than 100 students are facing homelessness in Langley, but the city has no youth shelter or beds
A group of Langley students have created a task force to fight youth homelessness.
- Youth homelessness worldwide often driven by poverty, not delinquency
- New report shows an increase in homeless deaths in B.C.
"Our community is not aware of the situation," said Jordyn Laird, one of the organizers of the task force. "You don't normally see young people pushing shopping carts around or sleeping on park benches.
The students are holding an open house Wednesday night to talk about the problem and the resources that are needed.
Officials with the Langley School District estimate 150 to 200 students face homelessness, but the city has no youth shelter or beds. The closest youth shelters are in Abbotsford and Surrey.
"They are unfortunately having to go to another community" said Gordon Stewart, assistant superintendent with the district.
He says others are couch surfing or looking at abandoned housing.
"We want people to know there is a problem in Langley. It may be invisible but it doesn't mean that it's not there," said Jordyn Laird.
With files from the CBC's The Early Edition and Sara Rabey
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