Social Housing in West Kelowna

What’s new

BC Housing has initiated a Temporary Use Permit for a period of up to three years to establish a modular temporary shelter at 2515 Bartley Road for up to 40 residents experiencing homelessness in West Kelowna. If approved, it will be used as a temporary shelter to house residents currently staying at the West Kelowna United Church on Brown Road. The recent sale of the church has impacted the urgency of finding temporary shelter for residents staying at this location before winter.

To learn more about the project, visit BC Housing’s Let’s Talk website and read staff’s report presented to the Advisory Planning Commission.

Social housing can be defined as a housing development that the government subsidizes and that either the government or a non-profit housing partner owns and/or operates. As part of realizing Council’s Strategic Priority to Foster Safety and Well-Being , the City of West Kelowna is committed to working with BC Housing and local partners to serve not only those struggling with homelessness but also low income seniors and families, those displaced by domestic violence, individuals with disabilities, and countless other members of our community who are in need of help to sustain a safe and secure home.

Temporary Winter Shelter

Update: As of March 31, 2020 the temporary winter shelter permanently closed.

In December 2019, Council approved BC Housing’s application to provide temporary winter shelter relief at 1160 Stevens Road to assist our most vulnerable citizens in the Greater Westside. The goal has been to provide temporary shelter for up to 40 people who require refuge from extreme cold temperatures through the winter months only. The temporary leased site will be decommissioned by BC Housing as of April 30, 2020.

BC Housing and the West Kelowna Shelter Society (WKSS) completed the mobilization of trailers and connections and the site was opened for occupancy Friday, January 24.

Safety and security of shelter occupants and the local community is important to all partnering organizations and is being managed through a number of strategies such as:

Site security personnel - provided by BC Housing (cameras and security on site), as well as rotating the City’s security presence between the Brown Road and Stevens Road locations.
Business Crime Watch Program - business visits and educational material provided through the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO).
Ongoing monitoring and adjustments through weekly feedback meetings with the local businesses, the City, the WKSS and BC Housing.

As part of BC Housing, the WKSS and Council’s continued commitment to assist and ultimately reduce the impacts of homelessness in West Kelowna, the City extends its gratitude to our community in understanding the need and actions to temporarily assist.

Further information, released to the community before the shelter was opened, is available from BC Housing and WKSS.

To read more about BC Housing's homelessness services, programs and facility information, please visit their website.

Supportive and Transition Housing

A 2018 Point-in-Time Count Report identified approximately 79 individuals in West Kelowna living rough. Approximately 40 individuals are housed at the Brown Road location, which BC Housing funds and the West Kelowna Shelter Society manages. The remaining individuals have been identified to be in need of housing to help get them back on their feet.

As part of Council’s Strategic Priorities and its partnership approach, the City continues to work with BC Housing to establish longer term transition and supportive housing in West Kelowna as part of addressing the affordable housing continuum for the Greater Westside. The goal is to partner with the BC Government and other social agencies to support and increase the opportunities for safe, affordable and accessible housing that meets our diverse community needs.

The City is also collaborating with Westbank First Nation and BC Housing to determine all viable land and facility opportunities to serve the Greater Westside. More information about our progress is anticipated to be available in summer 2020.

Visit BC's Housing website for more information about supportive and transition housing programs.

Background Information and Resources

The 2018 Westside Point-In-Time Count

On Wednesday July 23, 2018, the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation coordinated with community agencies and volunteers to conduct the Westside’s first-ever Point-in-Time (PiT) Homeless Count.

The 2018 Point-in-Time Count was a significant step towards better understanding homelessness on the Westside. It provided valuable information about the individuals experiencing or struggling with homelessness in the community.

Temporary Use Permit Issued for Winter Shelter

On Tuesday, December 10, City of West Kelowna Council carried a motion to issue a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to allow for temporary winter shelter services located at 1160 Stevens Road.

To learn more please see Council's December 10, 2019 Agenda (Item 8.1.1.).