Among the increasing number of people struggling to make ends meet and ending up living on the streets, are seniors, families and Indigenous people.

B.C. Housingsa国际传媒檚 2023 Vernon homeless count revealed a nearly 25 per cent increase from 2021.

The point-in-time count on April 27-28 found 279 people were living rough. Thatsa国际传媒檚 up from 224.

sa国际传媒淓very community saw an increase in their numbers, sometimes doubling their numbers,sa国际传媒� said Annette Sharkey, executive director of the Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan.

And that number is only those who are found, and those who agree to take the survey.

sa国际传媒淭hey have the choice to take part in the survey or not, even though we physically see them, we donsa国际传媒檛 count them unless they take part in the survey,sa国际传媒� explains Sharkey.

Calling the numbers sa国际传媒渂leak,sa国际传媒� Coun. Kari Gares adds: sa国际传媒淭hey are probably much higher than what wesa国际传媒檝e had to grasp in this point of time.sa国际传媒�

The count, which includes those living in the shelter and those unsheltered, is seeing more classifications of people.

sa国际传媒淭here is an increase in the number of seniors and this coincides with what we are hearing,sa国际传媒� said Sharkey.

According to Turning Points Collaborative Society statistics, there are 15 families living in motels and that includes 17 children.

sa国际传媒淭he trend continues currently with more and more families impacted by the housing crisis,sa国际传媒� said Sharkey of a lack of affordable rents in the community. sa国际传媒淭hat wasnsa国际传媒檛 the case even five years ago.sa国际传媒�

Meanwhile over 40 per cent of people unhoused in Vernon identified as Indigenous, compared to only seven per cent of the population.

sa国际传媒淓ighty per cent reported having lived or generational experience with residential schools,sa国际传媒� said Sharkey.

The Social Planning Council operates a Homelessness Crisis Intervention Team which has served 342 clients between October 2022 and July 2023.

The team helped 42 secure supportive housing, 21 secure independent housing and three secure temporary housing.

Another 17 left the community and, sadly, seven died. Sharkey said the deaths are largely due to the toxic drug supply.

While some come and go, Sharkey said the majority have ties to the community.

sa国际传媒淗omelessness is a home grown problem and not just a transfer from the larger centres, as often thought.sa国际传媒�

Gares thanked Sharkey for her insights and added: sa国际传媒淚 look forward to the day you are able to bring to us a more positive picture of what is happening.sa国际传媒�

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