It is happening all around us. The crisis of human inequality and lack of social justice within our society. Perhaps you see it on our morning coffee run, as you roll through the Starbucks line, nodding hello to the young man who sits there every day with his cardboard sign saying “homeless, please help.” Maybe it’s when you’ve finished work, embarking on your nightly bicycle ride through Riverside Park. You briefly see a woman in her makeshift blue tent as you race by. Recently her image has turned into a quick blue smudge in your eyeline, now you’re unsure if you’ve see her at all.
It’s normal to become desensitized to things we are exposed to every day. Although the issues of poverty, hunger, indigenous inequality, substance issues, and homelessness may not be at the forefront of your consciousness, the numbers unfortunately, do not lie.
Child Poverty Statistics:
Based on the 2019 Kamloops Census, there were 3,320 children (or 16% of all children) living in poverty. The locations with the highest density of these children were unsurprisingly the North Shore near Tranquille Road, as well as Downton areas. 5.8% of two-child families were found to live below the wage of $15.93/hr in 2019. The “Point in Time Count”, done every second year in Kamloops to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in over a specified period; and to gather information on the demographics and service needs of the local homeless population, found that 46% of those asked had experienced homelessness before the age of 19, with 13-15 being the most common response. 71% of the homeless youth had been in foster care or a group home setting and were indigenous. 22% chose homelessness over being in Ministry care.
In 2021, 418 children under 5yo were recipients of Food Bank Kamloops resources, and 849 were between 6-17yo. 8,775 snacks were provided to children in 2021. Further, 144 “Starfish Backpacks” were delivered to specific children on the Friday of each week, to ensure they had sufficient food for the weekend.
Homelessness Statistics:
“The Point In Time Count” was conducted over a 24-hr period in April 2021, surveying those staying in emergency centers as well as those staying on the streets.
PITC Findings:
- 206 people identified as homeless
- 47% percent identified as indigenous
- 62% were sheltered, and 38% were not.
- Reason for homelessness #1 – not enough income for housing, #2 substance use issues
- 76% identify as male, 22% identify as female and %2 identify as LGBTQ2S+
- Health challenges: 86% substance use issue, 64% mental health issue, 49% illness/medical issue, 46% physical limitation, 33% learning disability or cognitive limitation
With the percentages of homeless experiencing each of these health challenges, it is likely that many are experiencing a combination. From this data, one could speculate that in some circumstances substance use may be the result of poor quality of life due to lack of health and social resources.
Kamloops Food Bank Battling Hunger:
A whopping 1,969,613 meals were provided in 2021, with 1116,000 lbs of it collected by Rotary Food Drives. Statistics show that 4,863 Kamloops citizens relied on the food bank in the last year.
Addiction/Substance Issues:
86% of the homeless in Kamloops have substance use issues. In 2021 there were 78 recorded deaths due to overdose, the highest number ever recorded. Statistics from the Chief Coroner’s office showed 47 overdose deaths just in the first half of 2022. They expect the total to well surpass last years by 2023.
We may find ourselves desensitized to the shortcomings within our community, however there is truth in numbers. By looking at the data and statistics, we can begin to recognize the holes in our current resources and systems, as well as recognize the areas which should take priority in terms of evoking change moving forward.
SOURCES:
Annual Report 2021: Kamloops Food Bank. (2021). Kamloops Foodbank. Retrieved from https://www.kamloopsfoodbank.org/2021-annual-report/
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (2022). Kamloops | The Homeless Hub. Homelessness Hub. Retrieved from https://www.homelesshub.ca/community-profile/kamloops
City of Kamloops. (2021, October). Homeless Count | City of Kamloops. Retrieved from https://www.kamloops.ca/our-community/housing-homelessness/homeless-count
City of Kamloops. (2018). Kamloops Affordable Housing Summary. Retrieved from https://www.kamloops.ca/sites/default/files/2022-02/affordablehousing_summary-june_2018.pdf
Kamloops, BC – Demographics. (2022). Townfolio. Retrieved from https://townfolio.co/bc/kamloops/demographics
FirstCall – Child and Youth Advocacy Society (2021). 2021 BC Child Poverty Report Card. Retrieved from https://still1in5.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/First_Call_Report_Card_2021_Nov_23_web.pdf
