(SEE THE ACCOMPANYING VIEWPOINT OF A PERSON WHO IS HOMELESS IN SALMON ARM AT THIS .)
The visibility of homeless people in Salmon Arm is increasing and, with it, concern from the community.
The city香蕉视频直播檚 social issues committee discussed in May an increase in panhandling, loitering and homelessness. Last month, city councillor Louise Wallace Richmond, as well as city staff and representatives from the RCMP and Downtown Salmon Arm, met again.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 not something we haven香蕉视频直播檛 seen before, but we haven香蕉视频直播檛 seen it last as long,香蕉视频直播� said Wallace Richmond.
She says everyone at the table wants to be part of a sustainable solution, one that香蕉视频直播檚 collaborative, compassionate and creative.
The best way to help vulnerable people is to donate money or time to social agencies who serve vulnerable people, she says.
香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 think we can bylaw our way out of this.香蕉视频直播�
The social issues committee will meet again in the fall, and she encourages the public to call or email her.
Lindsay Wong, manager of Downtown Salmon Arm, agreed it香蕉视频直播檚 a complex issue and educating businesses is key. She pointed to the Shuswap Survival Guide compiled by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) in this region.
She said signage and landscaping might also be considered.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e trying to do the right thing, we want to move carefully, but we do want to take action.香蕉视频直播�
Sgt. Scott Lachapelle, who has worked in other communities with similar problems, says Salmon Arm doesn香蕉视频直播檛 have the resources such as shelters that vulnerable people can rely on.
香蕉视频直播淟aw enforcement is only a small part香蕉视频直播� Community involvement needs to be a bigger part.香蕉视频直播�
He favours donating to organizations aimed at getting people into housing, rather than throwing $2 into a hat.
In formulating a solution, he says, 香蕉视频直播淪almon Arm really needs to look at itself. What is our core issue, what is it we want to curtail or control?香蕉视频直播�
Dawn Dunlop, executive director of CMHA香蕉视频直播檚 Shuswap/Revelstoke region, which runs about 150 housing units, has been advocating for a Homeless Outreach Program from BC Housing with no success. She says the program won香蕉视频直播檛 solve homelessness, but is a resource for people who are at risk of homelessness. A staff worker can come out of the office and engage with the community.
Mayor Nancy Cooper said she wants to support CMHA in this endeavour.
BC Housing香蕉视频直播檚 email response to why Salmon Arm doesn香蕉视频直播檛 have the program was, in part: 香蕉视频直播淭he homeless outreach program works best when the private market has vacancies where those who are homeless can be housed. In Salmon Arm, the vacancy rate is extremely low. Our focus has been increasing housing stock in communities like Salmon Arm.香蕉视频直播�
In the meantime, Dunlop encourages people who are homeless or at risk of it to come to the CMHA office at 433 Hudson Ave., or call 250-832-8477. No units are available, but the association can start getting people connected to resources.
Dunlop says although the community is observing an increase in homelessness, 香蕉视频直播渋t香蕉视频直播檚 been happening for a long time; it seems to be more visible of late.香蕉视频直播�
She asks how the community can work together to solve the situation 香蕉视频直播渟o we don香蕉视频直播檛 criminalize homelessness. These are our most vulnerable of citizens香蕉视频直播ο憬妒悠抵辈
David Byers of the Salvation Army says he香蕉视频直播檚 seeing more transients than ever.
香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檙e looking for some affordable housing and we just don香蕉视频直播檛 have any.香蕉视频直播�
He says his organization is working with BC Housing to try to secure housing.
香蕉视频直播淏ut at this time we haven香蕉视频直播檛 seen any benefits yet.香蕉视频直播�
Meanwhile, tents and sleeping bags are given out. The Salvation Army offers a meal at 191 Second Ave. NE, on Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, soup is provided at the food bank at 441 Third St. SW.
香蕉视频直播淧robably an average day there香蕉视频直播檚 around 40 or 50 bowls of soup. Then we try to supplement with whatever we can. At least they香蕉视频直播檙e full when they leave.香蕉视频直播�
