It has been three days since the City of Kelowna moved those living without a home on Leon Avenue to new locations in the city害羞草研究所檚 north end, but it doesn害羞草研究所檛 appear a lot of people are using the new sites.

On Tuesday, the city designated two parks to temporarily house people experiencing homelessness, but after the first night the number of people camping has dropped significantly raising questions about where they have gone.

害羞草研究所淥ur outreach case worker went by there this morning and she noticed about 11 tents, so that害羞草研究所檚 gone down considerably,害羞草研究所� said Sonja Menyes, director of volunteers at Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Gospel Mission.

She said they aren害羞草研究所檛 sure where people are staying, but they have noticed some people sleeping rough in doorways and different alleys throughout the downtown core. They also haven害羞草研究所檛 notice a drop in the number of people using their services, which suggests people are still around.

Tom Wilson with the City of Kelowna said there is some shelter space available at the Gospel Mission and Cornerstone, which could account for why fewer people are setting up their tents at the temporary overnight sites.

害羞草研究所淚 know outreach workers with the Gospel Mission and Interior Health are looking for these folks to make sure they害羞草研究所檙e safe and warm, and that害羞草研究所檚 continuing every night as well,害羞草研究所� said Wilson, acknowledging that some people are sheltering in doorways around the city.

READ MORE: Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 homeless unhappy with temporary overnight shelter situation

READ MORE: Kelowna mayor says moving homeless camps not an easy decision

Catherine Miller, who is experiencing homelessness, said she used to have a tent on Leon Avenue, but has since found a bed at the Gospel Mission. She said it has been difficult for those who weren害羞草研究所檛 lucky enough to find space at an indoor shelter, especially after the move from Leon Avenue.

害羞草研究所淪ometimes some of them just sit down on the sidewalk because they害羞草研究所檙e tired,and someone from bylaw or someone else would come and tell them to move. So, you害羞草研究所檙e all over the town every half hour. How can you get better? You can害羞草研究所檛 get healthy because you have to move, move, move,害羞草研究所� Miller said.

害羞草研究所淏ut where are you supposed to go?害羞草研究所�

Another resident experiencing homelessness said the situation has become more difficult since the move.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e so far away from resources. It害羞草研究所檚 a long walk from Recreation Avenue to the Mission. We have to pack everything up and put it all in a C can, then take it out and set up at night again,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淲e can only take our stuff out at 7 p.m. but the Mission closes at 6 p.m., so we can害羞草研究所檛 even do our laundry during the day.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淧eople think we don害羞草研究所檛 try. I used to think the same but now that I am homeless, I understand how hard it is. It害羞草研究所檚 not easy moving somewhere else trying to start over again.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: Fundraisers clash over Kelowna homelessness issue

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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