The latest provincial “point-in-time” count found that homelessness rose in more than half of the 20 British Columbia communities surveyed. The count sees volunteer surveyors capture information about homeless populations over a 24-hour period. Fort St. John recorded 53 more people experiencing homelessness compared to 2023, for a total of 155 this year. Overall, 12 out of the 20 communities saw an increase in homelessness compared to two years ago. Vernon, Comox Valley and Powell River saw the largest declines in their homeless populations out of the communities surveyed.