Skip to content

Deaths of people experiencing homelessness more than doubles in Kelowna

11 deaths recorded by BC Coroners Service
30682613_web1_220727-KCN-Homeless-HeatWave-BCPush_1
Photos were taken with permission of a man concealing his identity and his belongings (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

The number of deaths of people experiencing homelessness in Kelowna in 2021 was among the highest in the province, according to the most recent report from the BC Coroners Service.

The 11 deaths more than doubled the number from 2020, which was five. The spike coincided with the rest of B.C., which saw a total of 247 deaths.

READ MORE: 74% spike: 247 people experiencing homelessness died in 2021 in B.C.

Kelowna’s total trailed only Abbotsford (14), Victoria (18), Surrey (29) and Vancouver (50). Prince George also had 11 deaths.

Over the past decade, Kelowna’s 2021 total trails only that of 2017, which was 12.

Overall, the B.C. Interior saw 44 deaths.


@JakeC_16
Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.



Jake Courtepatte

About the Author: Jake Courtepatte

Editor of Kelowna Capital News & West K News since February 2022. I have spent the majority of my career working in the Toronto area as both a sports reporter and a general reporter.
Read more