As people lined up for food at the Salvation Army in Parksville Friday, it was apparent that the demographic of those needing help are older than many people might think.
Irene Fuller has lived in Parksville for 60 years and was recently homeless.
“It’s because of housing, the housing shortage and not being able to afford it,” she said.
Vacancies in the Oceanside area of Parksville-Qualicum are almost non-existent and if you can find something, it’s just too far out of reach for someone on a fixed income.
“The average rent is just over $2100.00 a month and the vacancy rate right now is zero per cent in Qualicum and 0.2 per cent in Parksville. So, there is barely anything available,” said Jennifer John, coordinator with the Oceanside Taskforce on Homelessness.
The last homelessness count in Oceanside was completed in April 2021 and found 87 people experiencing homelessness.
Of those, 20 per cent (14 people) were over 55 years old, with 10 people between 55 and 65, two between 65 and 74 and two over 75.
Kevin Nicholson, 64, fled a life of abuse when he was 14 and has since spent many years without a home. He now calls a small apartment in Qualicum Beach home thanks to help from the Society of Organized Services in Parksville.
“You don’t wake up and say I want to be homeless today,” he told CHEK News Friday. “I would say in the last ten years, I had a mailing address for about eight months of that time,” he said.
Nicholson was able to find support locally from the Salvation Army, Manna Homeless Society, SOS, and Forward House Community Society. He received assistance finding a family doctor and applying for his CPP and other government supports.
Although there are programs available to help with rental subsidies, John says the housing has to be there first and that the lack of available units is an Island-wide problem.
“It’s very frustrating to have to tell people we can’t help you until you find accommodation when there is no housing available,” she said, adding that she believes the solution must include more affordable housing and accessible housing for seniors.
Dean Stoltz
