The housing crisis has put many in a desperate spot, and in Vernon, that desperation has led to some resourcefulness.
A homeless encampment at Highway 97 and 48th Avenue features a makeshift treehouse. It's unknown exactly who built it, but it appears to have been constructed by one or more members of the local street entrenched population.
It sits in a visible spot off a busy highway, surrounded by a number of tents below, and it's drawing a lot of attention.
Some residents say the encampment and treehouse are unsafe and should be taken down. Others say it should be left alone.
The encampment is on a provincial right-of-way and is therefore under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT). In an email to The Morning Star, the ministry said it is aware of the site and is working closely with the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs to prioritize the safety of everyone at the encampment.
"Staff are actively monitoring the site for any developments that could impact the operation or safety of the highway system," the ministry said.
The issue runs deeper than highway safety for the ministry, which highlighted the need to shelter the unhoused in the community and throughout B.C.
"Bringing people indoors is the first step toward stability and is key to strengthening our communities," the ministry said. "The province will continue working across government to address the root causes of homelessness, while ensuring people have safe and supportive places to stay."
Encampments offer a sense of community for street entrenched individuals, but they are not a safe or suitable long-term housing solution and can create "significant" risk for the well-being of those living in the camps, the ministry said.
"Encampments are best prevented and resolved by offering people a pathway out of homelessness, which includes shelter first, assessment and support to move to a range of housing options that best meet individual needs," the ministry added.
The B.C. government encourages people at risk of or experiencing homelessness in Vernon to connect with a local non-profit such as Turning Points Collaborative Society, to help them navigate the various services in the community, to find out about overnight shelter spots and how to apply for supportive housing.
People can also reach out to BC Housing applicant services at BC Housing's How to Apply for Rental Housing webpage, or by calling 1-800-257-7756.
"BC Housing continues to work with the City of Vernon and other partners to make more supportive homes available for people in the community," the ministry said.
A 52-unit supportive housing project is under construction at 2307 43th St. in Vernon that is scheduled for completion in late 2025 to early 2026.
Since 2017, B.C. has approximately 230 supportive homes in Vernon that have been delivered or are underway.
