Vernon byelection candidates talk about how best to help the homeless

Castanet asked candidates in Vernon's council byelection to tell us their position on a number of issues.

Today, the candidates give their opinions on how best to deal with homelessness.

Voters go to the polls Dec. 4.

Flora Evans

We have been talking and doing some things for a few years now. I would prefer to find evidence-based, permanent solutions. We need to invite an advisory panel to discuss why people are homeless. Much of the problem is related to mental illness, addiction, and inability to get employment. Let’s face those issues head on and look at other municipalities' successes. We do need housing and food, but it’s like treating the tip of the iceberg if we don’t address the underlying causes.

Sherrilee Franks

My approach to homelessness is in my area of expertise, the housing market. Due to my membership and committee associations, I am able to have housing discussions at a provincial level. Hearing and knowing the issues at the business level and municipal level gives me better insight and direction in discussions at the provincial level and vice versa. Homelessness is much more than just real estate, however. It will take all of us working together to find permanent, sustainable, long-term solutions to this problem.

Art Gourley

I don't know what land the city owns. We could start with one acre and make a little town with trailers made into rooms with a kitchen area, washrooms and security.

Stephanie Hendy

Build high-density, temporary, modular housing to adopt a housing first strategy. People need to be supported with a safe place to live before they can lift themselves out of extreme poverty and receive the lifestyle supports they need. Many homeless people also have disabilities, and their income assistance is not enough to cover housing, food, medications, and support.

Catherine Lord

Somehow the pandemic has created an upward surge in housing prices and consequently an increase in people who are homeless; who are couch-surfing with friends and family. Recently, the housing strategy developed for the North Okanagan offers actions and strategies that can make headway: develop some 2-3 year goals, nurture existing housing relationships (federal, provincial, not-for-profit, city), promote innovation, keep abreast of unique housing responses in other communities, identify municipal and regional land that may be available for affordable housing projects, look at requiring new single-family homes to be suite-ready.

Jamie Morrow

This is a major issue no one has the answers for, or we would have this solved by now. I do not profess to have the answers. The issue is that the homeless are also the working poor as well as those with mental health issues and substance dependencies. What I promise is to be a loud voice to work with the provincial government to do more to help all those in need.

Erik Olesen

Our homeless counts have increased by 46% since 2019 (not including people living in their cars, RVs or couch surfing).We have had some great work done with provincial partners/community organizations to increase supportive housing availability. Where I think we need to improve is to look at ways to densify our communities and create spaces for young adults, families, seniors, etc. that are affordable in rental prices and/or attainable in purchasing. If we don't work collaboratively with all levels of government, community partners and neighbouring communities, we will only continue to see more people becoming homeless.

Ed Stranks

Homelessness is a issue that affects many levels of our society and therefore requires a multilevel approach. It is important to enable development to provide attainable housing with price points that match earnings and the cost of living in Vernon. Infill and redevelopment of older residential areas within, and close to, the city core must be made easier with less paperwork. Continued partnership with other groups is also critical to address this problem.

Andy Wylie

First it must be contained to the Polson Park area. Women and Children are terrified. Please do not build the homeless-friendly design park on the old Civic arena site. The homeless need grass and bushes to feel at home, and that is what the present design will accomplish, a new homeless camp right by the tourist centre.
I promise to personally investigate and help the ones that need help climbing out of the hole.

Kevin Demers

We should maintain focus on the demographics within our community. While Vernon is a target for people moving from larger cities in Ontario or Vancouver, our homeless population is largely local. The inflicted are from Vernon, or have ties to Vernon. Collaboration on these projects should focus primarily on programs that are particular to the measured impact of each demographic.

Teresa Durning

The situation is devastating. I think there are individuals that choose to be street entrenched and all we can do is manage the situation until they choose a different path. Where it gets complicated is when we see the lack of attainable housing. Housing is a provincial epidemic, and the city has a responsibility to make it as easy as possible for developers to build so we can increase the inventory. The city owns land that could be utilized, and I believe it's time for us to really evaluate our priorities.