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'Trying times': West Kelowna community gathering discusses homelessness

Residents were invited to a BBQ at Memorial Park to hear from service providers about available supports
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United Way BC and local service providers including Turning Points Collaborative Society and Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna were part of a community gathering and BBQ in West Kelowna on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 to discuss homelessness.

A community gathering in West Kelowna on Tuesday (Oct. 2) focused on the complex issue of homelessness. 

Residents were invited to a BBQ at Memorial Park to hear from service providers about the supports available to homeless individuals and those potentially facing homelessness. The event was hosted by United Way BC, Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS) and the City of West Kelowna.  

“We want to let the community know we’re here to answer any questions they may have,” said Candice Berry, regional manager for Shelter Diversion at Turning Points.

She noted that the rising cost of food, housing and general inflation is making it more difficult for many people to make ends meet.

“It’s important for everyone to understand what individuals and families are facing in these trying times. Homelessness is not just individuals sheltering outdoors, it’s individuals who may be one month away from losing their housing and they don’t know what to do.”

In the first quarter of 2024, Berry said 111 people came through their doors from West Kelowna and Kelowna. Nearly 80 individuals returned for additional support, with 17 placed in housing and five families were able to keep their housing.

“We’ve seen an increase of people needing this extra support,” she added. “They need somewhere to turn.”    

Brittany Yadernuck is the site manager for Turning Points Bartley Shelter in West Kelowna. She said the event, which included a panel discussion with service providers, was also an opportunity to collaborate and build trust with the community. Residents were able to provide input and suggestions.     

“We (service providers) have the ending West Kelowna homelessness table where we brainstorm what would and would not work for our community,” Yadernuck added. “That’s where we’ll be bringing these ideas and suggestions back to and going through them.” 

Yadernuck said concerns previously voiced by residents when a hygiene centre was proposed for the community included harm reduction supplies and how they’re disposed of, crime and vandalism and whether offering additional services might attract more unhoused individuals to West Kelowna.

The pilot hygiene project was planned for a property at 2545 Churchill Road, however, there were concerns from city council and the public that it would be located a few hundred metres from two schools, and Julia’s Junction playground.

A July 2024 staff report to council stated that “key partnering organizations have indicated they are no longer interested in pursuing the proposed hygiene centre in the proposed location.”

“There were concerns brought forward that we realized needed to be addressed with the community,” Yadernuck noted. “We thought what a better way than to have an event…it’s informal…and we can address those main concerns, collaborate and build trust and cohesiveness.”

The gathering also included representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna, the city, bylaw services and other local service providers.

“We’re wanting to engage the community in terms of conversation around the issue an come up with sustainable changes,” added Magda Kapp, specialist emergency response with United Way BC.



Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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