BC Housing officials say Cranbrook’s increase in unhoused people is not unique, and they are working towards solutions.
“It is an issue that continues to grow. I think we’re seeing homelessness on the rise, particularly in Cranbrook, but also in other areas around the Interior region,” said Nanette Drobot, BC Housing’s regional director for the Interior.
For now, Cranbrook’s vulnerable population can use the Travelodge as a temporary shelter, and Drobot said the facility has been busy.
“The Travelodge shelter has been in operation since April of 2020, so it has been over three years,” said Drobot. “Last year, the shelter reported serving 246 unique individuals.”
She said most of the people using these services are from Cranbrook or have some connection to the community.
“It’s not as if we are taking people from outside of the community and bringing them on a bus to a community. These are people who have ties and for whatever reason, have found themselves homeless,” explained Drobot.
Part of that reason is likely the high cost of living.
“In Cranbrook, just like every other community, the cost of rentals is significant,” said Drobot. “Due to the high rates of poverty and the high cost of rent, people are being displaced into homelessness every day, that are from Cranbrook.”
Most people using Cranbrook’s temporary shelter are between 19 and 40, but there are a few unhoused seniors using the facility.
“There was one person who was 88,” said Drobot. “We are seeing more and more of the senior population being kicked into homelessness across the board, including Cranbrook. So, there are people who are 50 and older and making their way into shelters due to various circumstances.”
BC Housing is looking into a number of services aimed at helping unhoused people.
“Shelters are not a permanent housing solution, and we’re looking at other more permanent housing options including using rental supplements in the private market,” said Drobot. “When you have someone who is unsheltered, we’ll be trying to support them with the basic types of services.”
Drobot said BC Housing is working with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction on a provincial level and the Community Connection Society of Southeast BC on a local level.
“They also do outreach, and they have rental supplements for people who are ready for that permanent housing option,” said Drobot.
Progress on a new temporary shelter in Cranbrook is ongoing, but there is no concrete opening day just yet.
Cranbrook’s new shelter will have 40 beds when it opens at 209 16th Avenue North, near the Memorial Arena.
