How will the hidden homeless be counted?

DEAR EDITOR:

I know someone who operates two businesses and after selling their family home several months ago is unable to purchase another because there is nothing available in their price range, so is having to live in an RV with teenagers.

I have three college students who’ve gone from stable housing that changed overnight through no fault of their own, to not having anywhere to go, so are having to sleep on friends’ couches.

I have a colleague whose living in substandard housing with an elderly mother, but if they complain about the unhealthy living conditions and Interior Health evacuates the building, they have nowhere to go.

My elderly neighbour is allowing her two adult children to live with her in her apartment because they haven’t been able to find a house to rent for the six months they’ve been looking.

Another business owner I know just lost not only his business space, but the suite he and his wife were living in above the business.

These are our hidden homeless. Are these numbers being counted in the “homeless count”? I’m very concerned to know — how will the hidden homeless be counted?

The risk data on the long-term mental and physical impacts of homelessness — of all kinds — is clear. It leaves people vulnerable.

If I alone know of these seven situations, 17 people in total who are in precarious, unstable situations, how many others are there in similar situations?

I wonder if we have even more hidden homeless than those living rough or in shelters? What are we doing to remedy this too? How soon until they also end up in already overflowing shelters, or sleeping in the parks?

I appreciate that Summerland Council has worked diligently toward the approval of a new housing project for lower income earners ... in a year or more? Thank you!

And, we’re in the midst of a housing crisis that is becoming increasingly alarming — so I’d like to know what else is being done, what is the plan to address this critical issue?

Certainly housing should be the easiest problem to solve. And it intersects with the addictions, and mental-health crisis, as well as the pandemic crisis, so is a foundation for the improvement of the other crises.

Housing is a protective factor for physical and mental health, a human right.

What is the South Okanagan leadership doing to be responsible for getting ahead of this problem so we don’t end up spending far more on health services for increasing numbers of people who will continue to be negatively impacted?

Prevention is always better for the well being and dignity of citizens.