By Pete McIntyre

Vernon part of provincial homeless counts

Feb 13, 2020 | 3:12 PM

Vernon is one of 26 communities that will be part of a provincial homeless count in March and April.

Kelowna, Penticton, and Kamloops are also on the list.

Data from the counts will be used to improve supports and services, measure progress in addressing homelessness, and increase public awareness.

The province is providing $900,000 to support the community counts in partnership with the Homelessness Services Association of B.C. (HSABC), B.C. Housing, and to support additional research on homelessness among Indigenous peoples.

“Homelessness in B.C. continues to be a struggle for people, and the barriers that they face vary in different communities,” Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Shane Simpson said. “Our second provincial homeless count is a way that, together, we can get a clearer understanding of what homelessness looks like in order to better support some of the most vulnerable people in B.C.”

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In Vernon’s last homeless count done in October 2019 by the social planning council, 151 people were identified as homeless, down from the 161 the year before.

The province will use new and complementary methods in 2020. Two communities, Cranbrook and Port Alberni, will pilot extended, multi-day counts to provide information on people who may be missed in a one-day count.

The government will work with Indigenous partners to highlight Indigenous perspectives of homelessness and create effective strategies for addressing and preventing homlessness among Indigenous peoples.

“HSABC is working with our members and partners in participating communities to implement the 2020 homeless counts,” Stephen D’Souza, executive director with HSABC said. “It is the work of these local organizations that ensures the counts are a success. Across the province, there are teams of volunteers helping conduct the count and hosting community events for people to count themselves in.

“We are still seeking volunteers to help with the homeless counts. This is a great opportunity for you to get involved with organizations working to help those in need in your community.”

The report from the 2018 homeless count stated at least 7,655 people were experiencing homelessness.

Click here for the 2018 Report on Homeless Counts in B.C.

The participating communities are Campbell River, Comox Valley, Cranbrook, Duncan, Fort St. John, Fraser Valley Regional District, Kamloops, Kelowna, Metro Vancouver, Merritt, Nanaimo, Nelson, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, Penticton, Port Alberni, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Quesnel, Salt Spring Island, Sechelt, Smithers, Squamish, Terrace, Vernon, Victoria and Williams Lake.

by Pete McIntyre

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