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鈥檚 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鈥檚 up from 224.

鈥淓very community saw an increase in their numbers, sometimes doubling their numbers,鈥� 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.

鈥淭hey have the choice to take part in the survey or not, even though we physically see them, we don鈥檛 count them unless they take part in the survey,鈥� explains Sharkey.

Calling the numbers 鈥渂leak,鈥� Coun. Kari Gares adds: 鈥淭hey are probably much higher than what we鈥檝e had to grasp in this point of time.鈥�

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

鈥淭here is an increase in the number of seniors and this coincides with what we are hearing,鈥� said Sharkey.

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

鈥淭he trend continues currently with more and more families impacted by the housing crisis,鈥� said Sharkey of a lack of affordable rents in the community. 鈥淭hat wasn鈥檛 the case even five years ago.鈥�

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

鈥淓ighty per cent reported having lived or generational experience with residential schools,鈥� 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.

鈥淗omelessness is a home grown problem and not just a transfer from the larger centres, as often thought.鈥�

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

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