Homelessness in Kamloops: Stigma, Survival, and the Reality of Winter

JOUR 2060 – Blog Post 3 by Carolina Proença & Renata Garcia

In Kamloops, homelessness is often talked about, but rarely understood. Many unhoused people told us that the public tends to see them as “crackheads” or assumes their situation is the result of addiction alone. But the stories we heard reveal something very different. Several individuals explained that they became homeless after abusive relationships, traumatic childhoods, sudden job loss, or long-term mental health struggles they were never taught to manage.

The stigma they face daily only makes things worse. They shared that people judge them without ever asking what actually happened, and this misunderstanding shapes how the community treats them. People see them as they were not human beings and many of them are just wanting a chance to rebuild their life again but for that to happen they need support from the government, which is a big conflict. 

With temperatures dropping, survival becomes the priority. Several people told us that finding a safe place to sleep is one of their biggest fears at night. There simply are not enough shelter spaces in Kamloops, leaving many forced to choose between unsafe outdoor spots or walking for hours until there is daylight again.

To understand what support does exist, we spoke with George Moutsos, a manager at Merit Place Shelter. He explained how the shelter prepares for winter by adding beds when possible, offering warming areas, and coordinating services so those who get a spot have access to food, heat, and basic care. Still, the demand far exceeds the available space.

Our video aims to show these realities directly from those living them. By listening to their voices, we hope viewers rethink the stereotypes and see the real people behind the stigma.

Picture of individual in Downtown Kamloops by Carolina Proença. Picture taken November 29th, 2025.