File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Aaron Schulze

Homelessness in Kamloops

Point-in-Time Count report shows 50% increase in Kamloops homeless population in last two years

Oct 27, 2023 | 9:23 AM

KAMLOOPS — The number of people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops is up more than 50 per cent in two years.

According to the City of Kamloops’ Point-In-Time Count report in Tuesday’s (Oct. 31) council agenda, at least 312 people were experiencing homelessness in Kamloops over a 24-hour period from April 12 to 13, 2023. That’s up from 206 from the night of April 16, 2021.

The 312 people includes 194 who were counted in shelters on the night of April 12 and 121 people who were counted by volunteers as per the survey screening criteria during the day on April 13.

Additionally, the 312 people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops is a 228 per cent increase from the 95 in 2014.

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While the number of available beds in Kamloops shelters increased from 180 in 2021 to 202 in 2032, the report also says the occupancy rate of shelters spiked from 65 per cent (117/180) to 95 per cent (192/202) in 2023.

The report also shows 62 per cent of Kamloops’ homeless population sleep in shelters compared to 44 per cent in 2021.

The full report can be read here.