Homelessness

A study that links the foster care system with youth homelessness has come with little surprise for Penticton nonprofit workers that work with struggling youth.

Penticton-based youth homelessness report sent to Victoria, Ottawa as a ‘plea for action’

The ‘Nowhere to Go Report’ was endorsed by Penticton council in February

 

Crimes involving Vernon’s street entrenched population have dropped significantly in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the previous quarter and the same months in 2021. (Black Press file photo)

Vernon sees decline in crimes involving street entrenched population

First three months of 2022 show a 30 per cent drop in street-entrenched crimes over previous quarter

 

Youth Week in Penticton was celebrated at the local skate park on Friday, May 6, with skateboard and scooter competitions. (Photo: Brennan Phillips)

PHOTOS: Penticton Skate Park hosts skateboard and scooter competitions for Youth Week

All proceeds from the Friday, May 6, event went towards local youth homelessness initiatives

 

A previous homeless camp that was cleared out by the City of Penticton. Some camps along Highway 97 are harder to get rid of due to jurisdiction issues. (City of Penticton)

No leeway for homeless camping in Penticton

City has no appetite to create a designated camping spot like Kelowna has done

A previous homeless camp that was cleared out by the City of Penticton. Some camps along Highway 97 are harder to get rid of due to jurisdiction issues. (City of Penticton)
A survey of Penticton youth shows that of those surveyed, over 23 per cent have experienced homelessness at some point. (File photo)

‘Status quo no longer an option’: Penticton pays $85K a year to address homelessness

‘We require a new approach as a community,” said Penticton mayor John Vassilaki

A survey of Penticton youth shows that of those surveyed, over 23 per cent have experienced homelessness at some point. (File photo)
A 24-hour count was conducted of people experiencing homelessness in Penticton, where 114 people were counted. (File photo)

City of Penticton could soon pay $85,000 per year to help address homelessness

Council will review a proposal from B.C.-based 100 More Homes on April 5

A 24-hour count was conducted of people experiencing homelessness in Penticton, where 114 people were counted. (File photo)
The B.C. government announced March 31, 2022, it has purchased the former Polson Park Motel in Vernon to provide 29 permanent homes for people experiencing homelessness. (Google Street View photo)

B.C. boosts Vernon’s affordable housing with motel purchase

With the purchase of the former Polson Park Motel, Vernon adds 29 units to its housing stock

The B.C. government announced March 31, 2022, it has purchased the former Polson Park Motel in Vernon to provide 29 permanent homes for people experiencing homelessness. (Google Street View photo)
FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. ministers tout $633M to address homelessness day after data shows thousands unhoused

Funds going toward youth in care, complex-care housing, rent supplements, support workers

FILE David Eby, B.C. Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, speaks during a social housing funding announcement in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on July 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Black Press file photo)

23,000 people experienced homelessness in B.C. in 2019, new data shows

The province will release their strategy for homelessness on Thursday (March 17)

(Black Press file photo)
A survey of Penticton youth shows that of those surveyed, over 23 per cent have experienced homelessness at some point. (File photo)

5 things people may not know about homelessness in Penticton

100 More Homes Penticton will be among presenters of the next Brown Bag Lecture March 8

A survey of Penticton youth shows that of those surveyed, over 23 per cent have experienced homelessness at some point. (File photo)
Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Budget: Renter rebate off the table, but $600 rent supplements coming for vulnerable groups

Long-awaited renters rebate left out of 2022 budget

Homelessness supports will remain for those sheltered during the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Penticton city council endorsed a report about youth homelessness on Tuesday (Feb. 15) after it was revealed 1 in 20 youth in the community may be without a place to cal their own. (File photo)

Nowhere to go: Report to Penticton council says 1 in 20 youth may be homeless

‘These young people need our help ‘: Penticton council sends report to feds and province

Penticton city council endorsed a report about youth homelessness on Tuesday (Feb. 15) after it was revealed 1 in 20 youth in the community may be without a place to cal their own. (File photo)
A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Brain injury endemic among homeless populations: Vancouver research

31% of those interviewed between Dec. 2016 and May 2018 reported at least one traumatic brain injury

A message is written on a door outside a tent at a homeless encampment at Strathcona Park in Vancouver on Wednesday, October 7, 2020. A new study says the rates of brain injury are endemic among the homeless.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A cart with a homeless person’s belongings waits outside the makeshift shelter in a Main Street alley. (Western News file photo)

Penticton homeless shelters at capacity as winter hits

There are some emergency spaces in the planning in case of another cold snap

A cart with a homeless person’s belongings waits outside the makeshift shelter in a Main Street alley. (Western News file photo)
Cedar Place, the third of three buildings in an affordable housing project in Salmon Arm, opened its doors Nov. 8 and is expected to be filled in the next three weeks. The project is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Shuswap-Revelstoke, the City of Salmon Arm and BC Housing. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Third building in Salmon Arm’s affordable housing project opens doors

Cedar Place contains 38 studio units to house people without homes, those at risk of homelessness

Cedar Place, the third of three buildings in an affordable housing project in Salmon Arm, opened its doors Nov. 8 and is expected to be filled in the next three weeks. The project is a partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Shuswap-Revelstoke, the City of Salmon Arm and BC Housing. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Regional Chief Terry Teegee speaks to the press after Premier John Horgan announced Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria on October 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Prince George bylaw targeting homeless people ‘scapegoats’ the poor, says expert

Municipality criticized for using harsh regulations to force street people from public spaces

Regional Chief Terry Teegee speaks to the press after Premier John Horgan announced Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria on October 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

UPDATE: Homeless count numbers rise to 224 in Vernon

33 per cent increase over 2019 count

A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Homeless count finds 224 homeless in Vernon

33 per cent increase over 2019 count

A homeless man pulls his cart full of possesions past the entrance to Vernon Restholm. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Where will homelessness rise or fall? A federally funded AI has some predictions

Helpseeker says numbers should help policy-makers decide on where to put resources

Dr. Alina Turner, president and co-founder of HelpSeeker Technologies, who is taking part in a federally funded project designed to predict what will happen to homelessness, suicide and domestic violence rates, is pictured at the company's office in Calgary, Alta., Friday, July 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Jeremy Welder, BGC Okanagan CEO (left) and Jarrod Stocker, BGC Okanagan Facilities and Transportation Manager (right) painted the door leading to the youth shelter at the Downtown Youth Centre in Kelowna. (Submitted photo)

BGC Okanagan receives massive donation to help fight youth homelessness

The organization painted their door orange as part of Home Depot’s Orange Door Project

Jeremy Welder, BGC Okanagan CEO (left) and Jarrod Stocker, BGC Okanagan Facilities and Transportation Manager (right) painted the door leading to the youth shelter at the Downtown Youth Centre in Kelowna. (Submitted photo)