B.C.’s homelessness count found 116 unhoused people in Cranbrook, up from 63 reported in 2020.
B.C. government officials said the data was found using a Point-in-Time (PiT) count, which provides a snapshot of people experiencing homelessness in a 24-hour period.
According to the report, 63 per cent of the unhoused population were sheltered and 37 per cent were unsheltered.
Of the unsheltered residents, 67 per cent were staying in a makeshift shelter or tent, 21 per cent were staying at someone else’s place and 7 per cent slept outside.
As for age:
- Youth (24 and under): 3 per cent.
- Adult (25 to 64): 68 per cent.
- Senior (65+): 29 per cent.
According to the report, 59 per cent of Cranbrook’s homeless population has been in the community for at least five years and 11 per cent have always lived there.
Of the respondents, 66 per cent were men and 34 per cent were women.
B.C. government officials said numbers across the province reflect the need for increased supports to prevent and address homelessness.
“The results of these counts reinforce our belief that more needs to be done to help the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “Because of global inflation cities across North America are seeing an increase in vulnerable populations.”
B.C. officials said 20 communities participated in the 2023 homelessness count, and all of them saw an increase over the previous numbers.
“According to these community counts, homelessness continues to affect British Columbians across a broad demographic of individuals, families, youth and seniors,” said B.C. government officials. “These counts also show that Indigenous people and former children in care continue to be significantly over-represented.”
36 per cent of respondents in Cranbrook’s count identified as Indigenous.
Data from the provincial count will be combined with five federally funded and two independent counts to create a full homelessness report, which should be released this winter.
“The Province will use these results to further inform the development of supports and services implemented through Belonging in BC, the Province’s plan to prevent and reduce homelessness,” said B.C. government officials. “As part of the Homes for People action plan released in April 2023, the Province is taking action on new initiatives aimed at helping prevent and reduce homelessness.”
The B.C. government’s homelessness count for Cranbrook can be found below.
More: Cranbrook – 2023 Homeless Count (B.C. government)
