Homeless move 'Kin'

By Kate Bouey -CASTANET Jan 20, 2016 / 5:00 am
Kin Race Track is home, sweet home to a handful of homeless people. While negotiations have been going on between the City of Vernon and the Okanagan Equestrian Society over the site, some of the city's down and outs have moved into the dilapidated horse stables in order to keep warm. Clothes and blankets hanging above stable doors appear to signify a person is occupying that particular box. A large metal drum sits in the middle of the stable rows, apparently used for fires, along with one chair, a pickaxe, a hammer and a crowbar. “I've got a really nice place,” said one man, who admitted living at the site. “We're hoping more people move in here. There's lots of room.” He said at least four boxes were occupied but that more than four people were living on the premises. He said there was not always room at homeless shelters around Vernon. That could be true, according to Kelly Fehr, program director of the John Howard Society for the North Okanagan-Kootenay region, although he suspects other reasons. “Our outreach team was there about a month ago,” said Fehr. “The individuals out there did not want to come in.” “I assume they are active in their addiction,” said Fehr, although he added there could be many reasons the group is living outdoors, including mental health issues, violent behaviour or just getting out of prison. Meanwhile, neither the city or the society appear eager to force the latest tenants out. “We are aware that there are people in and around the stable area but we can't confirm if these people are transient or homeless,” said Darren Lees, senior bylaw compliance office for the city. “The stables are the responsibility of the (Equestrian) Society.” City spokesperson Tanya Laing-Gahr said bylaw officers do have a protocol when responding to homeless camps on public property. “However, on private property or on property that is leased/managed by a third party, it is the responsibility of the property owner/lease/property manager to take the lead on addressing the issue—and in the case of illegal activities, to contact the RCMP rather than City bylaw officers.” “Technically, they are city lands,” countered Ed Woolley, spokesperson for the equestrian society. Woolley was unaware anyone was living in the stables. “If people in unfortunately circumstances choose to live in a horse barn, I don't feel all that eager to turf them out.” He said the city could decide what to do if it became a “liability issue.”

Recently, the society was handed a new offer for the track land that city officials hope will lead the way to brokering a deal. The offer will be put to a board meeting this week, said Woolley, although he is doubtful it will spell the end of the deadlock. The matter will also come up for discussion at the rescheduled annual general meeting of the Okanagan Equestrian Society on Jan. 31.Woolley said even if the offer appears to be acceptable, it is too late to schedule a vote on it at that meeting.