VERNON – A local initiative has been counting the number of homeless camps around Vernon twice a year since June of 2009. Teams were out again Monday and found significantly fewer camps.
During the first census in 2009, 30 encampments were discovered.
“Honestly, I can say we were in a bit of a crisis situation,” says Annette Sharkey, the executive director of the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan. “Luckily, the Gateway Shelter opened around that time and since then we have seen a significant decrease.”
More recently five camps were counted in June 2014 and three this past November. The official number from Monday’s count isn’t ready yet but those involved believe around three camps were found.
“There may be more out there we are not aware of but compared to 30 back in 2009 we’ve done a fabulous job as a community of pulling together,” says Kelly Fehr, program director for the local John Howard Society.
Despite the decline in camp numbers, some say Vernon still needs help from the provincial and federal governments to address homelessness. Sharkey believes more supported housing is needed.
Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster says the province has spent quite a bit of money in Vernon. He says 1,600 Vernon households receive rent support.
Foster adds that the province is always looking for additional opportunities to partner with local groups that provide housing.
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