Nearly two years after the City of Kelowna and the provincial government struck a deal to tackle homelessness, the pair unveiled their third tiny home site on Friday – Balsam Place.
“There was an urgent need to discuss the gap between shelter and permanent housing to create a temporary housing option that could provide stability and support while opening up space and shelters for those living outdoors,” said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas.
“These sites are helping people transition out of encampments and into services, care and ultimately housing.”
Located at 3199 Appaloosa Rd, Balsam Place was announced last August and brings the total number of local tiny homes up to 179.
The Appaloosa Road site joins the two other sites, which are located on Crowley Avenue (STEP Place) and at 2740 Hwy 97 (Trailside). Balsam Place will be operated by Connective, a social service non-profit organization.
“We often see that when people gain access to safe, secure housing, they are able to access supports and experience improvements in employment, income, education, mental health and life skills,” said Chris Kinch, Connective VP of service delivery in Northern BC and the Yukon.
“At this HEARTH (Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing) project, we've recently named Balsam Place, we will be providing units for 60 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the community, a safe and stable home. Our goal is to help residents stabilize and transition into long-term housing.
According to Dyas, 60 individuals have moved from STEP Place and Trailside to “better lifestyles” since the two sites opened, and involvement of the RCMP and bylaw services has been minimal.
Balsam Place will offer 24/7 support services, including meal programs, life and employment skills training and more.
Similar to the first tiny home site located in Kelowna’s North End along Crowley Avenue, the Appaloosa site will feature individual tiny homes with a private entrance, bed, desk, mini fridge, microwave, air conditioning and heating.
On top of there being private spots for the residents, the site will also have shared amenities, such as washrooms, laundry facilities, storage spaces, dining areas, gathering spaces, security lighting and cameras, overdose-prevention services and care professionals.
“I hope this site can serve as a model to inspire our neighbouring communities to stand with us and advance similar projects, so we can take a united and coordinated approach to tackling these complex challenges,” added Dyas.
“And as we look ahead, we will continue to advocate for the tools our community needs, such as expanded complex care options, compassionate mandatory care for those who are most vulnerable and a campus of care transitional housing model.”
BC Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon was in attendance for Friday’s ceremony and mentioned that some of the other communities in the region are interested in what Kelowna has been doing with the tiny homes.
“I can't announce it today, but just to say that there is a recognition that this type of housing works because we're seeing it here. We're seeing it in Nanaimo, we're seeing it in Prince George and there's a recognition that if everyone does a little bit, no one has to do a lot, and I think that that's a positive piece for us to move forward," said Kahlon.
"I would say that there's a growing recognition that the problem isn't homeless people. The problem is a lack of housing and if we can work together to get more housing options for people, it's a healthier society that we can live in. So we are seeing some positive conversations happening, and we will be able to share some of that in the very near future.”
With the finishing touches being placed on Balsam Place, the site can expect its first residents to arrive in the coming weeks.
The temporary housing solutions will be in place for at least three years
