Homeless

The City of Salmon Arm erected a fence around the Ross Street Plaza on Nov. 24/2020, citing reasons centering on safety and security due to camping by people who don’t have homes. The closure is temporary but it’s not known when it will be reopened. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

City of Salmon Arm erects fence around public plaza to prevent camping

Lieutenant says lack of public space affects people without homes but he understands city’s decision

 

A homeless camp is set up behind Polson Park, near the Kal Tire head office over the summer. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)

Bylaw respond to increased calls to deal with Vernon homeless

Seasonal enforcement officers had 1,568 calls, compared to 1,382 during same period in 2019

 

Downtown businesses have expressed concerns about the presence and behaviours of some people downtown who are homeless. (Lachlan Labere - Salmon Arm Observer)

Video shows altercation between Salmon Arm police officer and homeless couple

RCMP Staff Sergeant said officers have had ongoing dealings with the two individuals

 

A Salmon Arm dog owner complains in a letter to city council about the actions of homeless people who are staying at the fairgrounds. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Dog owner writes about feces frustrations at Salmon Arm fairgrounds

City council told homeless people living in barns creating problems that can’t be ignored

A Salmon Arm dog owner complains in a letter to city council about the actions of homeless people who are staying at the fairgrounds. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
H.O.P.E. Outreach volunteers not only spread support, but thanks to donations they offer makeup, jewelry and clothing to sex trade workers in Vernon and Kelowna. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Warm clothing sought for Okanagan’s most vulnerable

Coat drive at People Place Sunday, Nov. 1 in Vernon and Nov. 7 in Kelowna

H.O.P.E. Outreach volunteers not only spread support, but thanks to donations they offer makeup, jewelry and clothing to sex trade workers in Vernon and Kelowna. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Vernon Fire Rescue Services and Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP were called to a report of an electrical fire at the emergency response centre operated by Turning Points Collaborative Society on 37th Street Sunday, Oct. 18, just before 5:30 p.m. The fire displaced shelter residents who have been set up with services at the Vernon Recreation Complex. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

UPDATE: Vernon shelter residents find refuge in hotels, motels, recreation complex after fire

Electrical fire at Turning Points Collaborative Society’s emergency response centre on 37th Street

Vernon Fire Rescue Services and Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP were called to a report of an electrical fire at the emergency response centre operated by Turning Points Collaborative Society on 37th Street Sunday, Oct. 18, just before 5:30 p.m. The fire displaced shelter residents who have been set up with services at the Vernon Recreation Complex. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
A man walks through a homeless camp where approximately 150 people are living at a parking lot on Port of Vancouver property adjacent to Crab Park, in Vancouver on June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. announces creation of first-ever ‘navigation centre’ to help homeless

Residents referred to the navigation centre will be able to stay until longer-term housing is available

A man walks through a homeless camp where approximately 150 people are living at a parking lot on Port of Vancouver property adjacent to Crab Park, in Vancouver on June 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vernon bylaw staff are thanked for keeping Linear Park clean and tidy. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Vernon park back to being beautiful

LETTER: City thanked for keeping Linear Park clean

Vernon bylaw staff are thanked for keeping Linear Park clean and tidy. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
(Black Press file photo).

Those experiencing homelessness in Kelowna increases from 2018

A point-in-time count conducted in March shows a jump of four per cent in homeless population

(Black Press file photo).
BC Housing in collaboration with Turning Points Collaborative Society announced, May 12, 2020, Vernon’s emergency shelter — housed in the curling club — is the first in the province to introduce sleeping pods to better protect those experiencing homelessness against COVID-19. (Turning Points)

COVID-19: Homeless to be relocated from temporary Vernon shelter

Homeless shelters in the city have been combined into one site at the curling rink since April

BC Housing in collaboration with Turning Points Collaborative Society announced, May 12, 2020, Vernon’s emergency shelter — housed in the curling club — is the first in the province to introduce sleeping pods to better protect those experiencing homelessness against COVID-19. (Turning Points)
Sisters-in-law Heidi Routley of Vernon (left) and Kiley Routley of Lavington will sleep outside Friday, July 10, to raise money and awareness for Covenant House Vancouver, a society that works with and for homeless youth. (Photo contributed)

North Okanagan relatives to sleep outside for homeless youth

Sisters-in-law Kiley Routley and Heidi Routley raising funds, awareness for Covenant House Vancouver

Sisters-in-law Heidi Routley of Vernon (left) and Kiley Routley of Lavington will sleep outside Friday, July 10, to raise money and awareness for Covenant House Vancouver, a society that works with and for homeless youth. (Photo contributed)
Lumby man gives back for Canada Day

Lumby man gives back for Canada Day

Food packages given away to those living on the streets in Vernon

Lumby man gives back for Canada Day
Joel, 38, has been in and out of homeless shelters for the last eight years, but says music helps heal him in troubled times. (Turning Points Collaborative photo)

Piano man lights up Vernon streets

Downtown instrument back on the 30th Avenue block

Joel, 38, has been in and out of homeless shelters for the last eight years, but says music helps heal him in troubled times. (Turning Points Collaborative photo)
Eight people arrested in Victoria homeless camp after enforcement order issued

Eight people arrested in Victoria homeless camp after enforcement order issued

Those living in tents were given until May 20 to move indoors

Eight people arrested in Victoria homeless camp after enforcement order issued
A growing number of homeless camps in the Vernon area are causing concern. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)

Second homeless camp fire sparked near Vernon

Growing encampment near Swan Lake a concern

A growing number of homeless camps in the Vernon area are causing concern. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)
FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. (AP Photo)

B.C. gives smart phones to vulnerable, homeless to access services, connect with family

COVID-19 restrictions have left many public places closed, leaving people without access to internet

FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. (AP Photo)
AJ Jaeger (left), with the 100+ Women Who Care, and Noelle Crombie (right) and her sons, donate $7,695 to Naomi Rouck, General Manager of the Upper Room Mission, to help feed the homeless and hungry in Vernon. (Submitted Photo)

Women help feed the need in Vernon

100+ Women Who Care donation supports Upper Room Mission

AJ Jaeger (left), with the 100+ Women Who Care, and Noelle Crombie (right) and her sons, donate $7,695 to Naomi Rouck, General Manager of the Upper Room Mission, to help feed the homeless and hungry in Vernon. (Submitted Photo)
A hundred tents have been spread out over Topaz Park. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

B.C. enacts provincial order to move homeless at 3 large encampments into hotels

Encampments will be dismantled, with temporary supportive housing in hotels, community centres

A hundred tents have been spread out over Topaz Park. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Mathie Franchuk has been living in a run-down trailer for the past four years. She has given notice she will be leaving this trailer at the end of April and is now looking for a new place to live. (Summerland Review file photo)

Summerland woman living in decrepit trailer searching for a new place to live

Mathie Franchuk says trailer where she has lived is in deplorable condition

Mathie Franchuk has been living in a run-down trailer for the past four years. She has given notice she will be leaving this trailer at the end of April and is now looking for a new place to live. (Summerland Review file photo)
Homeless and underhoused people occupied Strathcona Elementary School demanding more housing amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, April 18. (Red Braid Alliance/Facebook)

Police arrest 14 people occupying empty Vancouver elementary school amid pandemic

Protesters were asking for housing during the COVID-19 crisis

Homeless and underhoused people occupied Strathcona Elementary School demanding more housing amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Saturday, April 18. (Red Braid Alliance/Facebook)