NELSON, B.C. – The homeless situation in Nelson is not improving, and advocates are now calling for more efforts to build supportive housing.
On Monday the annual “Report Card on Homelessness” was released, showing a number of trends that has those supporting the homeless population worried.
“The community organizations are seeing youth of a younger age that are having more complex issues. They are identifying their gender and sexuality issues earlier in life, but do not have the supports to deal with that. We are also seeing increased drug use”, Ann Harvey, the community coordinator for the Nelson Committee on Homelessness told My Nelson Now.
The latest numbers show that around 130 people in Nelson are experiencing some form of homelessness.
Mondays presentation claimed around 20 people are living on the street, with about roughly as many currently residing within the shelter system.
The committee said the solution is the construction of more supportive and affordable housing that could be utilized by those in need – seniors being an increasing clientele as well.
“The heating of the housing market in 2016 saw the rents increase, and Nelson is now going on its fifth year with a zero percent vacancy rate”, Harvey said.
There are however some optimism among the support workers.
“It is a really historic opportunity when both senior levels of government are providing money for these [affordable, supportive housing] programs. We are hoping for the local community and city council to support these programs going forward”, Harvey said.
