A Vernon politician fears social issues in small and medium-sized communities aren’t being taken seriously by senior government.
Coun. Juliette Cunningham says funding for affordable housing and drug programs appear to be focused in large cities.
“When ever there are solutions from the federal or provincial governments, they go on population base,” she said at council Monday.
As an example, she points out that safe injection sites may open in Kelowna and Kamloops as a way of reducing abandoned needles and overdose deaths.
“I am not suggesting a safe injection site (for Vernon) but agencies need more resources to mitigate the number of needles,” she said.
“We see a lot of money invested in downtown eastside of Vancouver and I understand that, but we have the same issues. Victoria had a tent city and they invested a huge amount in affordable housing but we have significant issues here.”
Vernon’s bylaw officers and the Downtown Vernon Association are regularly finding used and unused needles in public spaces.
Posters are now in public washrooms and local non-profit agencies about safe disposal of needles and a cleanup will occur in late August.
In terms of homelessness, 10 camps were found in Vernon in April.
“We are on a spike here and this is happening across the province,” said Annette Sharkey, with the Social Planning Council.
People returning to Vernon from Alberta because of poor economic conditions could be placing strain on a limited housing supply.
“There is a desperate need, especially for those hard to house,” said Sharkey of individuals with substance abuse or mental health challenges.
Bylaw officers and outreach workers attempt to connect people in homeless camps with community services.
