Strengthening Communities Services Program

Vernon鈥檚 motel program has kept 49 people off the streets and moved them into more secure housing.

Annette Sharkey, executive director of the Social Planning Council of the North Okanagan, presented the results at the Monday, Feb. 12 Vernon council meeting.

Vernon鈥檚 Strengthening Communities Grant was $1,246,373 in funding, given in the summer of 2021 by the province, to be used to address the effects of homelessness in the community. The funds had to be used by January of 2024.

The bulk of the investment went to the motel program, which provided 49 individuals with temporary housing that allowed for social distancing.

鈥淭he success was that all 49 participants of that motel program have secured permanent housing,鈥� Sharkey said. 鈥淭his is good news, considering we鈥檙e in the midst of a housing crisis.鈥�

Along with the motel program, monies went towards a substance use navigator, and drinking fountains for the downtown core, to ensure that the unhoused population has 24/7 access to fresh water during the spring, summer and fall.

According to Sharkey, the substance use navigator worked with 212 different individuals from either the motel program or the shelter, and worked closely with Interior Health to provide referrals to treatment programs.

Public Washrooms

With all the positive news that the Strengthening Communities Grant provided, there was one particular issue that was brought up.

That being public washrooms, where the facilities have been 鈥渁 challenge鈥� to maintain for city staff, as a majority of them have been consistently vandalized and as a result, get shut down.

鈥淲e may need a more creative and innovative service to provide 24/7 access,鈥� said Sharkey.

Additionally, while the grant was overall successful, it has now ended which now leaves a gap in the community for homelessness funding.

READ MORE:

READ MORE: