Numbers don’t reflect Penticton homeless
Survey counts 163 homeless in city; 35 more than 2016
On paper, the number of homeless people in Penticton is on the rise, but numbers don’t paint the full picture, housing experts say.
The most recent housing survey conducted by 100 Homes Penticton in November counted 163 people experiencing homelessness in the city, up by 35 from a year earlier.
The organization also helped get 57 people into homes last year – still leaving an apparent net increase in homelessness.
“So if we’re doing the math here, we’re actually going backwards,” Coun. Helena Konanz said Tuesday following a presentation from Tanya Behardien, chairwoman of 100 Homes Penticton.
Berhardien, also executive director of the Penticton and District Community Resources Society, replied the math may be misleading.
“We haven’t also accounted for some of the other pieces that have come online in terms of other opportunities. We actually just came from our committee meeting now and realized that that’s probably not the best reflection,” Behardien said.
“It’s also a point-in-time count, so we are using a particular week and a particular strategy to deal with that.”
There are also challenges the organization faces when it comes to getting an accurate count during their survey. The most recent survey included 101 people, 80 of whom were experiencing homelessness.
“The registry week really only provides a snapshot of a moment in time. The best current estimate of people that we have counted and know that are homeless is 163,” Behardien said.
Since its last update in December 2016, 100 Homes has hired a housing locator, aiming to develop partnerships with landlords and explore further housing options.
Collaboration between different support services and avoiding overlapping services has been a key improvement accomplished by the organization, Behardien said.
Reanne Amadio, manager of community investment with the United Way, thanked the city for its support of 100 Homes.
“Your leadership is vital and has really brought collaboration through projects like Compass Court and BC Housing’s modular housing initiative to fruition for our community,” Amadio said.
“These two projects will provided much needed supportive housing to those most vulnerable in our community.”
She said looking forward, building off ideas from community forums on homelessness, a centralized intake point is needed for the homeless in Penticton.
“This centralized housing hub will provide one location where those experiencing homelessness can receive connection to the housing supports that they need,” Amadio said.
The next update is expected from 100 Homes Penticton sometime this summer.