Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Unhoused people in Vernon (Image Credit: Peter McIntyre / Vernon Matters)
By Liam Verster
199 Unhoused in 2025

Vernon’s homeless population declined over the past few years

Feb 23, 2026 | 12:00 PM

The number of unhoused people in Vernon has declined.

A report from the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan said there were 199 unhoused people counted in Vernon last year, down from 279 in 2023.

The agency said 114 of those people were able to access shelter or temporary housing space, but the other 85 remained unsheltered.

The Social Planning Council also urged the City of Vernon continue work with other neighbouring municipalities to further work aimed at reducing homelessness and improving housing stability.

View Comments

Other Matters

Housing Opportunity
Up to 260 new housing units could go at the Hesperia Lands
The City of Vernon is exploring an opportunity to allow hundreds of new housing units to go up.A city staff report stated the Hesperia Lands were subject of an engineering review that found a 24.91 acre parcel of land could be subdivided for housing.The area, deemed Hesperia North, could be rezoned as Multi-Unit Small ...
29m ago
Read More
199 Unhoused in 2025
Vernon's homeless population declined over the past few years
The number of unhoused people in Vernon has declined.A report from the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan said there were 199 unhoused people counted in Vernon last year, down from 279 in 2023.The agency said 114 of those people were able to access shelter or temporary housing space, but the other 85 remain...
2h ago
Read More
Snowy conditions
Snow warning issued for Highway 3, difficult travel expected
Drivers travelling along Highway 3 are being warned to prepare for challenging conditions as a snow warning remains in effect for multiple mountain passes.Environment Canada has issued the warning for the stretch of Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass, as well as from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass. Fore...
2h ago
Read More
Deadly incident
Kelowna man killed in single-vehicle crash
Kelowna RCMP are investigating a fatal single-vehicle collision that occurred late Sunday night at the intersection of Highway 97 and Burtch Road.Police say the crash happened at approximately 10:30 p.m. and involved a 43-year-old Kelowna man, who died at the scene."An RCMP reconstructionist was called to assist i...
3h ago
Read More
Last Seen Feb. 15
Police asking for help locating missing woman
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are asking people for their assistance in a search for a missing woman.Local police say 30-year-old Alexis Rocha was last heard from on Feb. 15 and was believed to be in the Vernon area.Alexis also goes by Lexi and often uses the last name Oppenheimer.The missing woman is described as 5-7 (17...
3h ago
Read More
Floor Crossing Reaction
Local MP says floor crossing is allowed, but can cause a loss of trust
The local Member of Parliament is criticizing the representatives who have crossed the floor.Scott Anderson, MP for Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee, issued a statement on social media where he acknowledged that floor crossing was permitted in the parliamentary system, though also voiced opposition to the three Conservativ...
8h ago
Read More
Fire Risk Reduction
Fire fuel management work resuming at Ellison Park
A project aimed at reducing the risk and severity of wildfires at the park south of Vernon will be resuming.A city staff report said Vernon had secured $125,000 from the Forest Enhancement Society of B.C. to complete the final stages of the fuel management treatment project at Ellison Park.The project aims to clear fue...
Feb 22, 2026
Read More
disruption
South Art Walk project gets underway
A key Kelowna downtown project will cause a couple of months of inconvenience starting Monday.A section of Doyle Ave. (between the traffic circle and Ellis St.) will experience temporary parking and road impacts to accommodate work on the South Art Walk project. Additional impacts to the walkway adjacent to Kasugai Gar...
Feb 22, 2026
Read More
Let's Talk Vernon
Vernon's new online engagement site up and running
Vernonites have a new way to provide their input on the city's doings.The city has launched Let's Talk Vernon, a new online engagement site, replacing engagevernon.ca.The new platform gives residents more ways to provide ideas and feedback, and has better tools in place to gather that input.A city staff report said the...
Feb 21, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Housing Opportunity
Up to 260 new housing units could go at the Hesperia Lands
28m ago
199 Unhoused in 2025
Vernon's homeless population declined over the past few years
2h ago
Last Seen Feb. 15
Police asking for help locating missing woman
3h ago
Floor Crossing Reaction
Local MP says floor crossing is allowed, but can cause a loss of trust
8h ago
Addressing Public Concerns
Proposed Commonage development redesigned
Feb 20, 2026