Fall Count of Homeless People is Approaching

 The fall count of homeless people in Vernon will be taken later this month.

The Camp Okanagan Outreach Liaison team or COOL team as it’s become known, will be doing 2 counts.

Annette Sharkey with the Social Planning Council says workers will go out October 18th and 19th.

“We’ll be doing the camp census but also the more detailed survey. We’ve decided to do the survey on an annual basis because it gives us so much detail and data that we really need to kind of understand who are homeless population is and what the main issues are.”

The spring survey found there were 21 people sleeping outside while dozens more were in shelters.

Sharkey says its hoped this month’s count will give a more accurate picture.

“Really what we want to do is track trends and see what’s happening in our population. It’s a good time to do it. Some of the more transient population may have moved on so we’re going to capture people who are in our community year-round.”

She says she’s encouraged by the provincial government’s announcement of more help for the homeless.

“I’ve been doing this since 2006 and I think, you know really what I’m seeing is the three levels of government are really, you know. I’m seeing changes.”

Sharkey hints there may be a couple of projects may be coming on board locally in the months ahead as funding matters are worked out.

Photo: Global News