(Photo courtesy of Kelowna Gospel Mission)

By Vernon Matters Staff

Scattered sites

Turning Points supporting new model to deal with homelessness

Feb 9, 2023 | 2:35 PM

A new project has been launched in the Okanagan to help address homelessness.

The Scattered Sites program, supported by the Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS), provides people with access to affordable market-housing rentals, along with in-home support services, to help them sustain long-term housing.

Tara Tschritter, the society’s regional director for the Central and Souther Interior, said multiple approaches are needed to address the homelessness crisis.

“In some ways, we’ve become reliant on shelters to meet our community housing needs, and that just can’t be the only answer. Our goal is shelter diversion with a rapid re-housing program to move people out of shelter as quickly as possible. That’s where the Scattered Sites Program comes in,” Tschritter said.

TPCS plans to use the housing model to supplement the other work the society and its community partners are doing in the Okanagan.

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Tschritter said there currently isn’t enough affordable housing supply to move people out of supportive housing and shelters, but by partnering with landlords to open up more market rentals as affordable housing, they can ensure that people who don’t need staffing support are getting into their own homes, and that frees up resources for those who may need more support.

“It also allows us to support folks to help them maintain that housing. Should they get behind on rent, have a medical issue, require support services, we will be there to assist,” Tshritter explained. “These are the things that can result in lost housing and cycling back to homelessness. This program fills an important gap while the community continues to work together to tackle the challenging, multi-year process of building the affordable housing stock we need.”

The community is getting behind the society’s efforts to provide safe and sustainable housing, including Kelowna-based developer Highstreet, donating $50,000 to start the project off.

“A community is only as resilient as its most vulnerable people,” said Scott Butler, CEO of Highstreet. “The team at Turning Points has a great ability to turn resources into something more meaningful for our community. They’ve done excellent work in West Kelowna with reducing homelessness; supporting an organization like this is an easy choice.”

Turning Points Collaborative Society will be hosting a comedy fundraiser on Feb. 18 to raise funds for the program. The event is called Comedy for Community and will take place at The Kelowna Curling Club from 5-10 p.m.

(Photo credit: TPCS)

“We encourage everyone to come out to this fun event,” Tschritter said. “As a service provider here in Kelowna, we think this is going to be a terrific way to connect with the folks who live and work here, to offer a different way to help, and to spread some joy at the same time.”

The event includes dinner and will feature comedian Damonde Tschritter, local legend Matt Baker and will be hosted by Kelowna-based comedian Kate Belton.

Event sponsors include The Medicine Shoppe, GGroup Signature Homes, Super 8 Hotel West Kelowna, and Okanagan Seasons Hotel.

Tickets for the event and sponsorship opportunities can be purchased in advance at Turning Points Trellis Fundraiser

Turning Points Collaborative Society is a local organization that provides outreach, shelter services, and various housing options for vulnerable people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness in the Okanagan.