Homeless

People who experience homelessness in Kelowna often sleep in doorways of businesses on the city’s main downtown street, Bernard Avenue. (David Venn - Kelowna Capital News)

Kelowna’s tent city garners national attention after Poilievre tweet

Kelowna mayor also speaks out about homelessness

 

Vernon Fire Rescue Services deal with a fire off of Highway 97 at the south end of the Swan Lake Overpass Monday, May 15. (Bowen Assman - Morning Star)

Suspected homeless camp fire doused in Okanagan

Small blaze breaks out at north end of Vernon’s Swan Lake Overpass Monday, May 15

 

Residents of Kelowna’s Tent City talk about what would help with cleanliness at the encampment. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

Kelowna encampment ‘spring cleaning’ has residents asking for basic sanitation

Residents of Tent City need running water and showers to keep clean

 

Vancouver police officers surround a tent with a person still inside as city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, April 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

City of Vancouver says safety up, overdoses and attacks down, after tent camp removal

Vancouver Fire and Rescue received 27 fewer overdose-related calls during the week of the sweep

Vancouver police officers surround a tent with a person still inside as city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, April 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver police officers form a barricade as a person removes their belongings while city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Vancouver police officers have been deployed to a tent encampment on the city’s Downtown Eastside with the aim of shutting down the site to campers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver’s homeless shelters are overwhelmed following heavy rainfall and decampment

‘You need to have enough spots for people to go to and there are not enough spots’

Vancouver police officers form a barricade as a person removes their belongings while city workers clear an encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Vancouver police officers have been deployed to a tent encampment on the city’s Downtown Eastside with the aim of shutting down the site to campers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Volunteers helped cook and serve an Easter dinner to the residents at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission on April 9, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Sheltered with love: Kelowna’s Gospel Mission residents enjoy a hot Easter meal

A full turkey dinner was cooked and served by volunteers

Volunteers helped cook and serve an Easter dinner to the residents at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission on April 9, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
'Hostile design' curved bench on Bernard Ave. that prevents people from laying down. (Google Maps)

‘At least have a bench to sleep on’: Charity calls out hostile design in Kelowna

Anti-homeless architecture prevents people from laying down and adds ‘insult to injury’

'Hostile design' curved bench on Bernard Ave. that prevents people from laying down. (Google Maps)
Police say a body has been found inside the remains of a burned tent at an encampment on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Police cars are seen parked outside Vancouver Police Department headquarters in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Woman found dead after firefighters douse blaze at Vancouver tent encampment

Woman appears to have died before the fire started

Police say a body has been found inside the remains of a burned tent at an encampment on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Police cars are seen parked outside Vancouver Police Department headquarters in Vancouver, on Saturday, January 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP investigated a suspicious grass fire near Vernon’s Department of National Defence army camp Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (Black Press file photo)

RCMP investigating furniture fire in Vernon park

Polson Park blaze spread to wooded area overnight

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP investigated a suspicious grass fire near Vernon’s Department of National Defence army camp Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (Black Press file photo)
A man using a rolling walker walks on the street past tents setup on the sidewalk at a sprawling homeless encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. The cityÕs fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents to be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Annual count of Metro Vancouver homeless underway after pandemic hiatus

11 municipalities across the Lower Mainland are taking part in the 24-hour, point-in-time count

A man using a rolling walker walks on the street past tents setup on the sidewalk at a sprawling homeless encampment on East Hastings Street in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. The cityÕs fire chief issued an order last month requiring the tents to be cleared because of an extreme fire safety hazard. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A person pushes a stroller past the shelter of an unhoused person in Toronto on Tuesday Jan. 31, 2023. The federal housing advocate is launching a review of homeless encampments in Canada, calling the situation a human rights crisis fuelled in part by the failure of all levels of government to provide adequate housing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Federal housing advocate reviewing ‘human rights crisis’ of homeless encampments

Review takes place against the backdrop of a visible rise in homeless encampments since the start of COVID-19

A person pushes a stroller past the shelter of an unhoused person in Toronto on Tuesday Jan. 31, 2023. The federal housing advocate is launching a review of homeless encampments in Canada, calling the situation a human rights crisis fuelled in part by the failure of all levels of government to provide adequate housing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Turning Points is hosting a comedy fundraiser show at the Kelowna Curling Club on Feb. 18, 2023. (Turning Points)

Hahas for homelessness: Turning Points hosting comedy fundraiser in Kelowna

‘A community is only as resilient as its most vulnerable people’

Turning Points is hosting a comedy fundraiser show at the Kelowna Curling Club on Feb. 18, 2023. (Turning Points)
Clair Hutman, one of many participants in the 2018 Strides event, waves enthusiastically as his wife, Carol, laughs at her husband’s energy. - Credit: Matthew Abrey

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission is hosting Strides, a run/walk fundraiser

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission is making ‘Strides’ towards providing necessary resources to our…

Clair Hutman, one of many participants in the 2018 Strides event, waves enthusiastically as his wife, Carol, laughs at her husband’s energy. - Credit: Matthew Abrey
Johnathan Staniforth. (Photo/Kelowna RCMP)

Quick trip through the justice system for Kelowna shelter attacker

‘It is rare for this type of sentence to be delivered so swiftly’

Johnathan Staniforth. (Photo/Kelowna RCMP)
Crystal Hedlund (left), who operates a business, Crystal’s Baked Blessings, helps out families in need with Christmas dinners and gifts. (Submitted photo)

Burnout, death threats, stigma: Inside the life of an Okanagan non-profit operator

Three women who have tasked themselves with helping others share their stories

Crystal Hedlund (left), who operates a business, Crystal’s Baked Blessings, helps out families in need with Christmas dinners and gifts. (Submitted photo)
Drug paraphernalia and garbage plague the downtown Vernon Swan Brook Estates complex. (Contributed)

2 fires in 2 weeks at downtown Vernon apartment

Residents tired of homeless lighting fires, doing drugs, leaving garbage

Drug paraphernalia and garbage plague the downtown Vernon Swan Brook Estates complex. (Contributed)
Khristina (last name withheld), seen here at Salish Park on Jan. 18, 2023, from Saskatchewan comes to Chilliwack twice a year to find her son who is living on the streets, and to hand out supplies to homeless people. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

Saskatchewan cattle rancher visits Fraser Valley twice a year to find her homeless son

‘I spent time with him, and that has to be enough’

Khristina (last name withheld), seen here at Salish Park on Jan. 18, 2023, from Saskatchewan comes to Chilliwack twice a year to find her son who is living on the streets, and to hand out supplies to homeless people. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
(Brittany Webster/Black Press Media file)

Kelowna launches innovative new thermal beds for those experiencing homelessness

The 20 one-person and seven two-person shelters will provide warmth to 34 Kelowna residents

(Brittany Webster/Black Press Media file)
Fire crews on scene of a blaze at Kelowna's homeless encampment. (Brittany Webster/ Black Press Media)

Tent up in flames at Kelowna’s Rail Trail encampment

No one was injured in the blaze

Fire crews on scene of a blaze at Kelowna's homeless encampment. (Brittany Webster/ Black Press Media)
The survey, conducted by Henluk Consulting Ltd., gathered information from people who are homeless, living on the streets, living in emergency shelters, and those at risk of homelessness. (Black Press file photo)

Many people accessing social services in West Kelowna need housing and food: Survey

Approximately 77 per cent of respondents said they accessed services for shelter, food, and clothing

The survey, conducted by Henluk Consulting Ltd., gathered information from people who are homeless, living on the streets, living in emergency shelters, and those at risk of homelessness. (Black Press file photo)