Vernon’s homeless population declines

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 Greater 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 stated it would continue to work with partners to reduce homelessness, but also urged the City of Vernon continue work with other neighbouring municipalities to do the same.

The report with the homeless count was accepted as information at Vernon’s regular council meeting Monday, Feb. 23.

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Following the presentation, Mayor Victor Cumming said he was pleased to see the number of unhoused individuals coming down.

“The critical part [of those figures declining] is provincial government investment. Our city has done a great job over the last decade or more trying to convince the province to fulfill their mandate,” Mayor Cumming told Vernon Matters.

“We opened some new supportive housing units, the latest one being The Willows, this is what impacts homelessness. So it’s great to see the province stepping up and fulfilling their mandate with lots of encouragement from city staff and obviously council.”

The Mayor added the city remained committed to helping address the homelessness issue locally.

“We know that if its better for anyone its better for everyone, that’s what we know,” Cumming said.

“So taking care of those in the bottom 25 per cent in our community is critical for us. It makes it best for them, and it makes it best for the community as a whole.”

by Liam Verster

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