The number of homeless people has risen steadily in Penticton during the past seven years, according to a survey of those sleeping rough.

A total of 194 people are now homeless in Penticton, up from 166 in 2023, 114 in 2021, and 108 in 2018, the survey says.

Of this year’s number, 116 are said to be ‘sheltered’, which means on the night of the count they were staying in shelters, transition homes, hospitals, or jail. The other 78 were ‘unsheltered’, which meant they slept in places such as alleys, parks, parkades, or vehicles.

“The vast majority of individuals experiencing homelessness in Penticton are long-time residents of their community,” reads part of the report on the survey, which was conducted by the Homeless Services Association of B.C.

In Penticton, 80 per cent of those peopl

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