Homelessness isn’t just about having no place to sleep—it’s deeply tied to poverty, lack of affordable housing, and gaps in the social safety net. In Vernon, we see this firsthand. With rising rents, limited shelter options, and increasing demand for support services, many people are struggling to find stability.

At the Upper Room Mission, we serve over 70-100 guests daily, providing meals, basic necessities, and a place of refuge. Many of our guests face barriers that make escaping poverty incredibly difficult. Let’s take a closer look at the systemic challenges that keep people trapped in this cycle—and what we can do as a community to help.

1. The Cost of Living in Vernon is Outpacing Wages

The cost of housing in Vernon has skyrocketed in recent years, while wages and social assistance have not kept up. A one-bedroom apartment in Vernon now rents for around $1,500 per month, making it nearly impossible for someone earning minimum wage ($17.40/hour in BC) to afford rent, food, and other essentials.

For many, this means tough choices: skipping meals, couch-surfing, or eventually becoming homeless. If a person loses their job, faces an illness, or experiences a personal crisis, there are few financial safety nets to keep them housed.

Breaking the Cycle Locally:

• Advocating for more affordable housing in Vernon
• Supporting rental assistance programs for low-income individuals
• Partnering with local businesses to provide stable employment opportunities

2. Vernon Lacks Affordable Housing and Shelter Spaces

Right now, Vernon only has one first-stage shelter with 60 beds, plus 26 beds at Our Place (Second-Stage), and 20-25 seasonal beds at Upper Room Mission. That’s just over 100 beds for the estimated 279 people experiencing homelessness in our city (according to the April 2023 homeless count).

With the demand far exceeding available spaces, many people are left with no option but to sleep outside, in vehicles, or in unsafe situations.

Breaking the Cycle Locally:

• Increasing access to year-round, dry shelters in Vernon
  • We recently filled an application with BC Housing to turn our Winter Shelter into a year-round shelter!
• Expanding transitional and supportive housing options
• Working with BC Housing and local organizations to invest in long-term solutions

3. Barriers to Employment Keep People Trapped

Many people experiencing homelessness want to work but face barriers like:

• No transportation to get to job interviews
• No stable address or bank account to receive wages
• Employers unwilling to hire someone with gaps in their work history
• Struggles with mental health or substance use that make maintaining employment difficult

This creates a cycle where people can’t secure a job because they don’t have stable housing, and they can’t secure stable housing because they don’t have a job.

Breaking the Cycle Locally:

• Encouraging Vernon businesses to provide second-chance hiring opportunities
• Supporting employment programs tailored for people facing homelessness
• Expanding access to transportation and job-readiness services

4. Mental Health and Addiction Services Are Limited

At least 70% of Vernon’s homeless population struggles with mental health challenges, addiction, or both. Yet, detox and recovery beds are extremely limited in the Okanagan, with long waitlists and few local treatment options. Without proper mental health and addiction care, many people remain stuck in the cycle of homelessness.

Breaking the Cycle Locally:

• Advocating for more detox and recovery services in Vernon
• Expanding mental health outreach programs for people experiencing homelessness
• Supporting trauma-informed care at shelters and support services

5. Social Assistance in BC Falls Short

For those on BC Income Assistance, the shelter portion of the payment is only $375 per month—nowhere near enough to cover rent in Vernon. Even with additional support programs, people relying on social assistance are left struggling to make ends meet.

Breaking the Cycle Locally:

• Reforming BC’s social assistance programs to reflect real housing costs
• Strengthening community-based financial assistance initiatives
• Providing accessible case management to help people navigate support systems