De Clarke/ Cortes Currents - As Currents recently reported, homelessness is not just “an American thing,” or “a big-city thing,” or even “a Vancouver Island thing.” Homelessness is also here on Cortes, where a recent survey found that about 50 people rated their housing situation as “unstable,” and 11 were living rough (with no permanent shelter, in tents or other makeshift accommodation).

Although “housing” might sound like a single issue, it has has knock-on effects throughout our community.

Homelessness contributes significantly to the “derelict boat” problem haunting Cortes’ harbours and other waterfronts. Lack of affordable housing contributes significantly to the difficulty island businesses face in hiring adequate staff. Lack of affordable housing contributes to a shortage of the basic support services that many of Cortes’ older and more secure residents need as they age in place: firewood, gardening, gutter and roof cleaning, etc. Lack of affordable housing closes off options, leaving some women unable to leave abusive domestic situations. Though a relatively small number of Cortes residents are housing-insecure, the phenomenon of housing insecurity affects us all.

In Campbell River, homelessness increasingly impacts the downtown area, troubling shoppers and frustrating business owners. Some homeless people suffer from mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and/or PTSD. Their behaviour can be erratic and sometimes alarming. They are, on the other hand, also uniquely vulnerable to theft, harassment and violence — as in the recent, scandalous incidents in which Campbell River teens attacked homeless people.

Throughout BC, municipalities are struggling with “the homeless problem.”

Photo by Nachelle Nocom on Unsplash