Homelessness

Homelessness and opiod overdoses in Vernon are becomming overwhelming problems for agencies trying to help. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

‘Overwhelming need’ to address Vernon homelessness and overdoses

Stress levels for service providers, clients, peers relating to homelessness, opioid overdoses, ‘extreme’

 

A study that links the foster care system with youth homelessness has come with little surprise for Penticton nonprofit workers that work with struggling youth.

Penticton-based youth homelessness report sent to Victoria, Ottawa as a ‘plea for action’

The ‘Nowhere to Go Report’ was endorsed by Penticton council in February

 

A study that links the foster care system with youth homelessness has come with little surprise for Penticton nonprofit workers that work with struggling youth.

Penticton-based youth homelessness report sent to Victoria, Ottawa as a ‘plea for action’

The ‘Nowhere to Go Report’ was endorsed by Penticton council in February

 

Crimes involving Vernon’s street entrenched population have dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the previous quarter and the same months in 2021. (Black Press file photo)

Vernon sees decline in crimes involving street entrenched population

First three months of 2022 show a 30 per cent drop in street-entrenched crimes over previous quarter

Crimes involving Vernon’s street entrenched population have dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the previous quarter and the same months in 2021. (Black Press file photo)
The B.C. government announced March 31, 2022, it has purchased the former Polson Park Motel in Vernon to provide 29 permanent homes for people experiencing homelessness. (Google Street View photo)

B.C. boosts Vernon’s affordable housing with motel purchase

With the purchase of the former Polson Park Motel, Vernon adds 29 units to its housing stock

The B.C. government announced March 31, 2022, it has purchased the former Polson Park Motel in Vernon to provide 29 permanent homes for people experiencing homelessness. (Google Street View photo)
FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. ministers tout $633M to address homelessness day after data shows thousands unhoused

Funds going toward youth in care, complex-care housing, rent supplements, support workers

FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Black Press file photo)

23,000 people experienced homelessness in B.C. in 2019, new data shows

The province will release their strategy for homelessness on Thursday (March 17)

(Black Press file photo)
Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Budget: Renter rebate off the table, but $600 rent supplements coming for vulnerable groups

Long-awaited renters rebate left out of 2022 budget

Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Brain injury endemic among homeless populations: Vancouver research

31% of those interviewed between Dec. 2016 and May 2018 reported at least one traumatic brain injury

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Cedar Place, the third of three buildings in an affordable housing project in Salmon Arm, opened its doors Nov. 8 and is expected to be filled in the next three weeks. The project is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Shuswap-Revelstoke, the City of Salmon Arm and BC Housing. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Third building in Salmon Arm’s affordable housing project opens doors

Cedar Place contains 38 studio units to house people without homes, those at risk of homelessness

Cedar Place, the third of three buildings in an affordable housing project in Salmon Arm, opened its doors Nov. 8 and is expected to be filled in the next three weeks. The project is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Shuswap-Revelstoke, the City of Salmon Arm and BC Housing. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Regional Chief Terry Teegee speaks to the press after Premier John Horgan announced Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria on October 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Prince George bylaw targeting homeless people ‘scapegoats’ the poor, says expert

Municipality criticized for using harsh regulations to force street people from public spaces

Regional Chief Terry Teegee speaks to the press after Premier John Horgan announced Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria on October 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

UPDATE: Homeless count numbers rise to 224 in Vernon

33 per cent increase over 2019 count

A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Homeless count finds 224 homeless in Vernon

33 per cent increase over 2019 count

A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Where will homelessness rise or fall? A federally funded AI has some predictions

Helpseeker says numbers should help policy-makers decide on where to put resources

Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Officials are surveying the streets of Vernon to get a better sense of the issue of homelessness in the city, as part of the province’s point-in-time homeless count for 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Province conducts homeless count in Vernon

It’s the first time Vernon has been included in the provincial homeless count

Officials are surveying the streets of Vernon to get a better sense of the issue of homelessness in the city, as part of the province’s point-in-time homeless count for 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Photo: Kathleen Saylors

Grand Forks votes down letter to support Penticton in homeless shelter battle

Grand Forks city coun. Neil Krog insisted Penticton’s issue with Victoria is about city bylaws, not homelessness

Photo: Kathleen Saylors
Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)

VIDEO: Man sets off fireworks next to homeless person’s cart in Fraser Valley

No police reports made into incident shared on social media

Still from a video posted on social media of a man lighting fireworks next to a homeless person’s encampment in the parking lot at St. Mary’s on Mary Street in Chilliwack. The video was posted on April 21, 2021 but it’s unclear if the incident happened that day. (Facebook)
Penticton bylaw officers tore down a “pretty significantly sized” homeless camp underneath the bridge near Riverside Drive Friday, April 16 morning. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Penticton bylaw tears down ‘significantly sized’ homeless camp under bridge

Many residents had made complaints about the camp before it was torn down

Penticton bylaw officers tore down a “pretty significantly sized” homeless camp underneath the bridge near Riverside Drive Friday, April 16 morning. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Interior Health nurses were administering COVID-19 vaccines to seniors and care aides in Kelowna on Tuesday, March 16. In Salmon Arm on March 11, guests, staff and support personnel at the Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter at McGuire Lake were vaccinated. (Phil McLachlan/Black Press)

People in Salmon Arm without homes receive vaccine on pandemic anniversary

Residents staying at Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter get vaccinated

Interior Health nurses were administering COVID-19 vaccines to seniors and care aides in Kelowna on Tuesday, March 16. In Salmon Arm on March 11, guests, staff and support personnel at the Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter at McGuire Lake were vaccinated. (Phil McLachlan/Black Press)
Jason Haskett and Rachel Williams celebrated one year off the streets in July 2020 thanks to finding a home at My Place in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Supportive housing gives former homeless Okanagan couple hope

‘This building has helped us become stable and without it we’d probably still be out in the streets’

Jason Haskett and Rachel Williams celebrated one year off the streets in July 2020 thanks to finding a home at My Place in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)