Social Housing in West Kelowna

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What’s new

Thirty-eight, warm beds are available for people experiencing homelessness on the Greater Westside, in time for winter, through a partnership between BC Housing and Turning Points Collaborative Society, a non-profit organization, with support from the City of West Kelowna.

Turning Points Collaborative, on behalf of BC Housing, will operate the new temporary shelter at 2515 Bartley Road, on a portion of city-owned land adjacent to the municipality’s future Public Works Yard site. The temporary modular shelter will offer a designated kitchen, hygiene facilities, common areas and individual sleeping areas, providing safe space for shelter guests and staff.

Individual rooms allow shelter guests to gain independence to help them to their next housing stage. People who stay in this shelter are 19 or older and typically have a history of homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Westside residents will be prioritized for a place in the Bartley Road Shelter.

Learn more through BC Housing’s Let’s Talk website.

Social housing can be defined as a housing development that the government subsidizes. It is typically owned and/or operated by either the government or a non-profit housing partner.

West Kelowna Council’s Strategic Priorities objectives under the Foster Safety and Well-Being pillar commit our City to working with BC Housing and local partners on solutions that support affordable and accessible housing and reduce homelessness.

Social housing serves those struggling with or at risk of homelessness, 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: November 16, 2021

BC Housing and the Turning Points Collaborative Society will update Council at the Committee of the Whole, providing details on the new temporary shelter at 2515 Bartley Road.

View the presentation at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts
View BC Housing’s presentation materials for the Nov. 16 meeting
Read BC Housing’s Bartley Road Shelter fact sheet

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

Community Advisory Committee to enhance communications with area residents, agencies and local government representatives
Site safety and security

Other supportive services in the City of West Kelowna include:

Business Crime Watch Program - business visits and educational material provided through the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO)
Peer Ambassadors program operated by Partners in Resource (PIERS) to assist our community’s most vulnerable and connect them with support services and engage with residents and businesses to address issues as they arise
A City Bylaw Officer assigned through August 2022 to assist vulnerable populations in connecting with community resources and contribute to a safer environment for all

The City thanks our community for understanding the need and actions to temporarily assist those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Learn more about BC Housing's services, programs and facilities through their online resources:

Website: bchousing.org/home

Map of permanent and temporary shelters in BC: smap.bchousing.org/Shelters-ViewController-context-root/faces/shelters_map_frame.jsf

Supportive and Transition Housing

A 2018 Point-in-Time Count Report identified at least 72 individuals on the Westside who were experiencing homelessness.

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 Province of BC and 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.

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

Background Information and Resources

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 Point-in-Time (PiT) Homeless Count.

The 2018 Point-in-Time Count provided valuable information about the individuals experiencing or struggling with homelessness in our community.

Temporary Use Permit issued for winter shelter

On July 13, Council approved a Temporary Use Permit for a facility to temporarily house residents previously staying at the shelter at the United Church on Brown Road. The church’s sale created an urgency to find a new temporary shelter before winter.

Learn more about the temporary use permit:

Read City staff’s July 13 report to Council

Previous Winter Shelter on Stevens Road

From January through March 2020, BC Housing provided a temporary winter shelter at 1160 Stevens Road to assist our most vulnerable citizens in the Greater Westside. The West Kelowna Shelter Society (WKSS), under contract from BC Housing, provided the temporary modular shelter, with safe, secure services and supports for up to 40 people, who required refuge from extreme cold temperatures through the winter months.

Additional provincial resources

Learn about Homes for BC, the provincial government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf