Kelowna – 2740 Highway 97 North – Trailside Transitional Housing Site
Modulars being delivered as construction progresses (left); Proposed site plan, subject to change (right)
Overview
BC Housing and the City of Kelowna are working together to provide urgently needed temporary transitional homes for people experiencing homelessness in Kelowna.
Named Trailside, this project will provide 60 units using temporary modular construction, similar to what is used in mining or logging operations. Located at 2740 Highway 97 North, this is the second location in Kelowna to fulfill the 120 new units of transitional housing announced by the Province in October 2023.
This will be year-round 24/7 temporary transitional housing under the new HEARTH program and anchored by the MOU recently signed between the Province and the City of Kelowna. HEARTH provides for emergency housing, shelter options, and immediate coordinated supports to create a flow from unsheltered living - to shelters - to transitional housing that can act as a gateway to permanent housing options.
In addition to the HEARTH program, the Province and City are partnering to implement Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART), a new multidisciplinary program that will bring together BC Housing, Interior Health, other agencies, non-profit organizations, provincial and local governments, and Indigenous partners, to quickly assess the needs of people sheltering in encampments and provide rapid access to the supports and services they need to find a home.
Development & Construction: Update February 2024
Site preparation is nearing completion and construction is well underway. The modular units arrived on site in February 2024. Once the initial process of installing the modulars is complete, design elements will be incorporated such as paint, landscaping, fencing, and outdoor gathering spaces. We are aiming for construction to be complete in Spring 2024. This page will be updated once more details are available.
Services & Supports: Update February 2024
Turning Points Collaborative Society will be the non-profit operator of this temporary transitional housing project.
Turning Points has created a customized program that prioritizes seniors and persons with physical disabilities who are experiencing homelessness. The goal of this program to reduce the time the target populations experiences homelessness and provide the community integration, health care planning, life skills and case management interventions required to avoid reoccurring homelessness. The focus will be on helping people prepare for and find permanent homes that fit their needs.
People moving into Trailside will be mainly from local shelters, who are ready to take the next step to more independent housing with embedded supports. This will create a flow, freeing up shelter spaces for people living in encampments and others experiencing homelessness in the community. Trailside will act as a gateway to permanent housing. Staff are committed to working with each person respectfully to help them along their own path to housing stability.
Turning Points is working rapidly to hire and train staff to prepare for opening. Trailside will offer supports, services and amenities that include:
Daily meals
Laundry and shower facilities
Health care referrals, wellness checks
Life skills programming and one on one supports
Connection and referral to community services, and support groups
Activities of Daily Living Assessments by LPNs
Individualized Care Plans created in conjunction with LPNs
ADL supports by LPNs, RSWs
Housing Focused Case Management & Rapid Rehousing Health Focused Case Managment
Transition Supports - Rent Supplements & Outreach
Fully fenced perimeter with privacy screening and gated access
Security lighting and cameras
Individual Rooms & Shared Bathrooms
Indoor common area and outdoor space
Storage for belongings
- On-site 24/7 staff support
BC Housing and Turning Points are committed to being good neighbours by building and maintaining positive relationships amongst the community. We will share more information with the community throughout the construction process, as operations are finalized, and before Trailside opens.
Community Engagement
In February, we engaged with neighbours and community members through ‘community conversations’ organized as multiple dialogue sessions to facilitate information sharing. We thank the community and value the feedback we received. A more detailed summary report will be shared soon, but some key points are:
- Trailside tenant selection process: BC Housing and Turning Points will assess potential residents and offer the homes to people based on their individual needs and supports available. This process will also ensure a balanced mix of residents.
Transitioning into more permanent housing: Turning Points will work with each resident individually to create and execute a Housing Action Plan that will map out how and when a resident can transition into appropriate permanent housing.
The City’s broader plan to support unsheltered community members: Trailside will contribute to the City’s broader plan to support unsheltered community members by freeing up shelter space. This will create a flow that will support people living outside to transition into more permanent housing.
Consultation with people with lived experience of homelessness: Turning Points confirmed that consultations with people with lived experience of homelessness inform the development of their programs. The City also consults with the Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness group on a regular basis.
Measuring success of the program: Turning Points explained that their goal is to have 80% of tenants living in stable housing 6 months after leaving Trailside. The Society also noted they ran a similar project in West Kelowna that successfully met this target.
We want this program to be successful. We invite your questions below or by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org
Please continue to visit this page for updates as they become available.
