Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. (Photo credit: City of Kelowna)

By Liam Verster

Tiny Homes

Temporary homes for unhoused opening in Kelowna

May 14, 2024 | 11:25 AM

People experiencing homeless in Kelowna will soon have access to temporary homes.

Trailside Transitional Housing, located at 2740 Highway 97 North, features 60 new temporary modular homes, including 14 that are wheelchair-accessible, to be used by people in need.

The facility will prioritize seniors and people living with disabilities who are ready to move into more independent housing that still provides access to supports.

Residents will start moving into the units in mid-May, which is expected to free up shelter space and move people in off the streets and out of encampments.

This facility, along with the other 60-unit modular housing on Crowley Ave. that opened in February, will be in place for a minimum of three years as the City of Kelowna and the province work to build more permanent supportive housing in the city.

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“These modular homes will bring people indoors to a safe place, where they’ll receive meals, life-skills training, care plans and other services that will help prepare them for more permanent housing,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, said.

“Through our Belonging in BC program, we’re providing people with the support and stability they need to transition out of homelessness and improve the overall health and well-being of their communities.”

The 60 modular homes each contain a bed, mini-fridge, storage shelving and baseboard heating.

The development includes washrooms, showers, laundry facilities, a common dining area, recreation space, bike storage, and a charging station for electric mobility scooters.

“Trailside fills an important gap in local transitional housing options for seniors and people living with disabilities,” Tom Dyas, mayor of Kelowna, said.

“Council’s goal is to free up space in shelters with the intention of decreasing the outdoor sheltering area along the Rail Trail and other parts of the city.”

The facility will be operated by Turning Points Collaborative Society, with staff on-site 24/7 to provide the residents with meals and connections to training and supports such as care plans and community services.

“Clients at Trailside can expect an increase in positive health outcomes and reduced dependency on programs and systems,” Tara Tschritter, Southern Interior regional director of Turning Points Collaborative Society, stated.

“This is a proven model developed through our West Kelowna Rapid Re-Housing program, where we saw 60-plus people a year move into long-term housing.”

Interior Health’s Integrated Health Outreach Team will also provide services to residents, including episodic primary care, wound care, medication support, clinical referrals, and connections to substance-use and mental-health treatments.

“Through this initiative, we’re not just providing medical care, we are creating a path to stability for those in need,” Susan Brown, president and CEO of Interior Health, said.

“This collaboration reflects a dedication to building healthier and more inclusive communities, while cultivating resilience, renewing hope and fostering a sense of belonging across the Central Okanagan.”