Outdoor Overnight Sheltering in Designated Sites
Shelter Dashboard
Homelessness isn’t unique to Kelowna, it’s an evolving, dynamic crisis that every major city in Canada is facing.
Municipalities continue to try and manage the downstream consequences of poverty, lack of affordable and social housing, mental health and addiction issues. To learn more about the City’s ongoing work to address this complex social issue visit: Kelowna's Homelessness Strategy
Despite the significant increase in the number of complex care, supportive housing, and rapid safety net housing units in Kelowna, the number of people sheltering outdoors continues to exceed emergency shelter capacity.
When there is insufficient housing and shelter space for people experiencing homelessness, the law in British Columbia prevents the City from prohibiting temporary overnight sheltering from all its parks and public spaces. However, the City can decide which parks or spaces to allow overnight sheltering.
The City partners with social serving organizations to ensure people have access to the services and supports they need to transition out of homelessness and continues to advocate to senior levels of government to increase supports in our community.
For a list of services and supports available to those experiencing unsheltered homelessness visit: Kelowna Outdoor Sheltering Guide.
The current designated outdoor sheltering site, located at the intersection of Richter Street and the Rail Trail, is intended to be a temporary place for people to shelter outdoors until space in shelter, complex care, or rapid safety net housing becomes available. The City continues to advocate to senior levels of government for more supports for people experiencing homelessness, including increased shelter space as well as supports for those with complex needs.
The designated outdoor sheltering site has been designed as a hybrid model, with a section of 60 spots for people who are working to become housing-ready as new indoor shelter and housing options become available and are actively following site guidelines. These spots can be occupied 24 hours per day. A space has also been allocated to accommodate those sheltering overnight only from 5 pm to 9 am.
The site is designed with safety and security in mind for those sheltering there as well as City staff and community partners who provide on-site services. Secured entry points, restricted access fencing, and storage for oversized items are features that enhance on-site safety for those staying at the site and those organizations providing services.
Once sufficient shelter space and longer-term housing options become available for all those sheltering outdoors, this outdoor sheltering site will no longer be necessary. Visit Kelowna's Homelessness Strategy to learn more about the City’s ongoing work to increase shelter space in Kelowna.
For those sheltering in the spaces allocated for 24-hour outdoor sheltering, on-site services include 24/7 security staff, secure entry and exit points, running water, routine garbage pick-up and site sanitation, portable toilets, sharps disposal boxes and a storage facility for items that exceed the capacity on-site space available.
For those sheltering in the temporary overnight sheltering spots have access to a secure space, 24/7 monitoring by security staff and, access to portable toilets and bottled water.
Community partners and social services organizations provide supports on-site. Services are available to those sheltering in either the 24-hour and temporary overnight sheltering sections of the site as well as those seeking support from the surrounding community. Services offered include breakfast and dinner services, access to medical care and appointments with outreach partners who assist with case management.
There is also access to community support services, including daytime drop-in access to hygiene services, potable water, and personal belongings storage at the Metro Community Drop-In program.
Those wishing to provide goods or services at the designated overnight site are encouraged to coordinate efforts with non-profit organizations such as Metro Community, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, and the Ki-low-na Friendship Society.
The site, located near emergency services including police, ambulance and fire, is designed in accordance with crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) principles, including clear sightlines, ample lighting and multiple points for carefully managed access and egress. For safety and security of the site as well as staff, emergency and c0mmunity service providers who provide supports, the site is monitored by 24/7 security personnel as well as closed-circuit television, it also has secure entrance/exit points and perimeter safety fencing. On-site storage is available for items that exceed the capacity of individual sites.
Please visit the Extreme Heat and Extreme Cold pages to learn more about measures taken during extreme weather events to support those at the outdoor sheltering site.
