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. Housing含羞草研究社檚 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. That含羞草研究社檚 up from 224.

含羞草研究社淓very community saw an increase in their numbers, sometimes doubling their numbers,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淭hey have the choice to take part in the survey or not, even though we physically see them, we don含羞草研究社檛 count them unless they take part in the survey,含羞草研究社� explains Sharkey.

Calling the numbers 含羞草研究社渂leak,含羞草研究社� Coun. Kari Gares adds: 含羞草研究社淭hey are probably much higher than what we含羞草研究社檝e had to grasp in this point of time.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淭here is an increase in the number of seniors and this coincides with what we are hearing,含羞草研究社� said Sharkey.

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

含羞草研究社淭he trend continues currently with more and more families impacted by the housing crisis,含羞草研究社� said Sharkey of a lack of affordable rents in the community. 含羞草研究社淭hat wasn含羞草研究社檛 the case even five years ago.含羞草研究社�

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

含羞草研究社淓ighty per cent reported having lived or generational experience with residential schools,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淗omelessness is a home grown problem and not just a transfer from the larger centres, as often thought.含羞草研究社�

Gares thanked Sharkey for her insights and added: 含羞草研究社淚 look forward to the day you are able to bring to us a more positive picture of what is happening.含羞草研究社�

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