Kelowna - McCurdy Rd Supportive Housing

Supportive housing follows an evidence based and internationally demonstrated Housing First model, which aims to end chronic homelessness by first providing stable housing, and then working with the resident to promote recovery and well being. Supportive housing works to lessen the impact issues have by providing a safe environment where medical intervention is readily available. Building staff and partners like Interior Health provide ongoing guidance, encouragement and support to individuals living in supportive housing. Learn more about Housing First.

Individuals with substance misuse and mental health issues are already living on our streets, in our parks and in our neighbourhoods. Our goal is to provide them housing and support them in their journey to a healthier life.

Supportive housing is for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness who require additional supports to maintain housing. If a person with a disability meets eligibility requirements, they would be considered for the new supportive housing on McCurdy Road.

There are a variety of housing options available to people with disabilities, funded through BC Housing, across Kelowna. Learn more about the Independent Living BC program: www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/housing-with-support/independent-living-bc-program and how to determine which programs you may be eligible for: https://programfinder.bchousing.org/programfinder

BC Housing is also working on several affordable rental housing projects, including bringing 111 new units of affordable rental housing for families, seniors and people with disabilities in Rutland, at Nissen Crossing (78 units) and Dougall Road North (33 units). 

All residents enter into a program agreement with the operator CMHA. The program agreements cover such things as rent contribution; pets and pest control; medication dispensation; meals and nutrition; behavioural expectations; fire safety; visitors and other guidelines and policies. Residents are expected to adhere to the program agreement, and if they cannot, and depending on the situation they could put their housing at risk. Please be aware that the objective is to keep people housed, help them stabilize, and support them on their personal journey to wellness. For some people this takes longer than others. Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna (CMHA), has extensive experience working with both youth and adults. Evictions can cycle people back into homelessness or the shelter system. They are a last resort when all other interventions have failed.

A common misconception around supportive housing is that all of the residents have addictions issues and are engaged in criminal activity. It is unfortunate that those experiencing homelessness in Kelowna are so often painted with the same brush when in reality there are many reasons why someone might have become homeless or need support in maintaining a home.Heath House on Highway 97 is the first home some individuals have had after living in survival mode on the streets for years. It is not uncommon for those transitioning from living on the streets or in shelter to experience a settling down period, and for the vast majority of those living at Heath House, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive, and without issue.

CMHA convenes a community advisory committee that meets monthly and is always open to community feedback and working towards resolving concerns. That committee is made up of staff from BC Housing, Interior Health, the RCMP and Bylaw, as well as CMHA and the business representatives and home owners for the surrounding neighborhood.

Rutland may not have the level harm reduction focus it requires and this may be something you are seeing. As an addition to the City of Kelowna’s sharps disposal pickup hotline, this site will be an added resource for the safe collection and disposal of sharps and other paraphernalia. CMHA has recently committed additional resources to the development of a “clean team” that actively participate in the cleanup of the neighborhood surrounding Heath House, and a clean team would be something CMHA will be looking at creating for the McCurdy area as well.

Schools are located within all communities and it is very challenging to find a suitable location for supportive housing that is not near a school. When considering supportive housing locations, we look for land that is within close proximity to transit, amenities and services. We also intentionally consider locations that have an established community.

Many people who are experiencing homelessness have been living in isolation or have lost their connection to community. One of the goals of supportive housing is to help residents engage with their surrounding community and build a sense of belonging.

BC Housing and CMHA take the safety of residents, staff and the surrounding community seriously. This Supportive Housing will have 24-hour a day, 7-days-a-week staffing available to ensure that any concerns are addressed in a timely manner. CMHA will lead a Community Advisory Committee that will meet monthly to discuss any concerns or issues. It will include representatives from BC Housing, Interior Health, the City of Kelowna, RCMP and community members. 

Applicants will need to be at least 19 years of age; have a history of homelessness or be at risk of homelessness; need additional support to maintain housing; with priority given to people active in their recovery and receiving support from community-based agencies, and youth aged 19-24. A common misconception around supportive housing is that all of the residents have addictions issues and are engaged in criminal activity. It is unfortunate that those experiencing homelessness in Kelowna are so often painted with the same brush when in reality there are many reasons why someone might have become homeless, or need support in maintaining a home. While there will be individuals that are in various stages of struggling with health issues, this site will be home specifically to those who have made steps towards stabilizing their lives, but continue to need the support of the staff and community to move forward.

We are providing a sample Program Agreement for your reference – posted in the Document Library section on this page.

The new homes with on-site supports will be open to people who meet the eligibility criteria, which does not restrict substance use. However, those who are active in their recovery and receiving support from community-based agencies will get priority for this housing.

Applicants will go through a thorough assessment process which will identify people committed to recovery and ensure they’re receiving the appropriate community based supports. 

The safety of our future residents, staff and the surrounding community is a priority for all partners. These permanent supportive homes will have experienced staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that residents are supported and that any concerns are addressed in the timely manner. All residents will sign a program agreement, which will detail expected resident behaviours and the building's rules. 

CMHA will lead be a Community Advisory Committee that will meet monthly to discuss any concerns or issues. It will include representatives from BC Housing, Interior Health, the City of Kelowna, RCMP and community members.

The new homes with on-site supports will be open to people who meet the eligibility criteria, which does not restrict substance use. However, those who are active in their recovery and receiving support from community-based agencies will get priority for this housing.  Applicants will go through a thorough assessment process which will identify people committed to recovery and ensure they’re receiving the appropriate community based supports.