Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Coldest Night of the Year (photo credit: CMHA Vernon)
By Pete McIntyre
housing stability fund

Cold snap highlights need for North Okanagan Rent Bank

Jan 18, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The recent cold weather is helping to bring home the message behind an upcoming event in Vernon to help people at risk of homelessness in the community.

Canadian Mental Health Association Vernon & District will host the Coldest Night of the Year walk on Feb. 24. The goal is to raise $40,000 for the North Okanagan Rent Bank which provides housing stability to individuals and families experiencing short-term financial difficulties.

“It was extremely chilly as the temperature dipped to minus 29 but for most of us, we could ride out the weather, knowing that we have secure, safe place to call home. But for others, the deep freeze was a stark reminder that they risk being outside because they are unable to pay rent,” Julia Payson, CMHA Vernon & District executive director said.

Payson said CMHA Vernon recognizes the work of agencies like Turning Points, Upper Room Mission and Okanagan Regional Library in helping save lives over the last week.

“Paying rent is jeopardized when unexpected expenses arise, whether it’s a new prescription, winter clothes for the kids or much-needed repairs to the car. That’s why the North Okanagan Rent Bank is essential for low to moderate income renters to access assistance to pay rent or utilities due to an emergency that impacts their ability to pay.”

Vandalism
Polson Place mall windows smashed by rocks
9h ago
Fuel Price Spike
Local gas prices again nearing $2/L
10h ago
Wanted Man
Local police searching for man wanted for assault with a weapon
13h ago

Payson said to ensure the Rent Bank is there for people and families in need, community support is needed for Coldest Night of the Year.

Participants will take part in a two or five-kilometre walk through downtown Vernon and then celebrate their efforts together at the finish line. All those who raise over $150 ($75 for youth) will get to wear CNOY toques.

To register a team or to donate, visit https://cnoy.org/location/vernon

“We are excited to see teams coming together and raising funds for housing stability and we would encourage residents, businesses, and organizations to get involved. You can make a significant difference in the lives of friends and neighbours by participating in Coldest Night of the Year,” Payson said.

The North Okanagan Rent Bank is available to residents in Cherryville, Lumby, Coldstream, Vernon, Spallumcheen, Armstrong, Enderby and Grindrod.

Learn more about CMHA Vernon’s programs and services at www.cmhavernon.ca.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

RCMP warning
Convicted sex offender released, in Kelowna
RCMP are warning the public about a convicted sex offender who has now been released and is living in Kelowna.Police said based on his criminal history, pattern of re-offending and risk assessment, 38 year old Graham Daniel Dodge poses a significant risk to adolescent males.The Kelowna RCMP, in partnership with Probati...
6h ago
Read More
Vandalism
Polson Place mall windows smashed by rocks
The Shops at Polson Place was the target of an aparant vandal.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said it was notified of a person throwing rocks at the shopping centre at around 10:45 p.m. Monday, April 6.Officers arrived on the scene and found that three windows on different parts of the building had been damaged."Securi...
9h ago
Read More
Boosting business
Premier announces regional manufacturing funding
Four more southern Interior manufacturing businesses are receiving almost $7 million in government funding to expand their production of made-in-B.C. products.It will create 100 more jobs as the companies expand.A Surrey-based furniture producer will build a new facility in Merritt. Meanwhile a prefab home builder in M...
10h ago
Read More
Fuel Price Spike
Local gas prices again nearing $2/L
Vernon has seen another price jump at the pump.With the Straight of Hormuz still closed despite a two week ceasefire in place, GasBuddy said Vernon's average price for a litre of regular gasoline rose to $1.92.9 Wednesday, April 8.That was up 20 cents overnight, after prices saw some declines from hitting the $1.91.9 m...
10h ago
Read More
Drug Crisis
B.C. marks toxic drug emergency as Okanagan communities feel the toll
Nearly a decade after B.C. declared a public health emergency over the province's toxic drug crisis, communities across the Okanagan continue to grapple with its impact. More than 18,000 people have died from illicit, unregulated drug toxicity in the province since the emergency was declared in 2016.In Vernon, more tha...
12h ago
Read More
Summer Music Festival
Blue Rodeo, Sheepdogs, Of Monster and Men to headline ROOTSandBLUES Fest
Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUES will have some big acts hit the stage for the 34th annual summer music festival.Organizers said Of Monsters and Men would headline the Friday night show, Blue Rodeo would perform Saturday, and the Sheepdogs would take the stage Sunday evening."Bringing back Blue Rodeo for a full performanc...
13h ago
Read More
Wanted Man
Local police searching for man wanted for assault with a weapon
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP have asked the public to keep an eye out for a wanted man.Mounties said 49 year old Troy Killingbeck was wanted for assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and a number of other offences.Killingbeck was described as 5'7" and 180 lbs with brown hair and hazel eyes.Anyone with information...
13h ago
Read More
Big Winner
Penticton ticket lands $75M Lotto Max jackpot in Okanagan
What a way to wake up for one South Okanagan resident.A winning Lotto Max ticket worth $75 million was sold in Penticton, making it one of the largest lottery prizes ever claimed in the Okanagan.The ticket matched all seven numbers in Tuesday's draw, though the winner has yet to come forward. Lottery officials say priz...
13h ago
Read More
Housing Market
Housing prices still down annually
Housing prices in the North Okanagan remained in favour of buyers last month.The Association of Interior Realtors (AoIR) said the benchmark prices for single family homes in the area declined on both an annual and monthly basis, while townhouse and apartment and condominium prices were down annually.Single Family Homes...
Apr 07, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Vandalism
Polson Place mall windows smashed by rocks
9h ago
Fuel Price Spike
Local gas prices again nearing $2/L
10h ago
Wanted Man
Local police searching for man wanted for assault with a weapon
13h ago
Housing Market
Housing prices still down annually
Apr 07, 2026
Stuck Near Shorts Creek
VSAR teams helped rescue stranded motorists
Apr 07, 2026