Penticton – 616 Okanagan Avenue East

Aerial view of a construction site at Dartmouth Rd and Drive in Penticton, marked with a red pin and surrounded by buildings.

BC Housing, in partnership with the City of Penticton, are proposing to build up to 50 units of temporary housing with supports at 616 Okanagan Avenue East.

The Province would fund this project through the HEART and HEARTH program. Penticton is a priority community for this program.

Development timeline

The City of Penticton is providing the land for this housing. This project requires a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). A TUP is typically for 3 years with the opportunity for renewal with Council approval. City Council will consider a TUP for the site on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (see sidebar for details)

We will share more details about the project and timeline as they are available.

About the temporary housing

Temporary housing provides a step between a shelter and a permanent home. Residents are local adults (19+) who need support services to maintain stable housing. They can include seniors and people with disabilities.

BC Housing would select an experienced non-profit housing operator to manage the building. We would introduce the operator after they are selected. The operator would also provide services including:

  • On-site 24/7 staff support
  • Daily meals
  • Health care referrals
  • Connection to health services (including addiction and mental health programs and overdose prevention services)
  • Outreach, life skills training, employment assistance
  • Connection and referral to community services and support groups

BC Housing uses a community-based assessment process to offer people temporary housing. This process considers people’s individual needs and the supports available.

All residents make a choice to live there. They pay rent and sign program agreements. All residents would take part in case planning and work towards long-term housing and health goals.

We would create a Safety Plan for this housing. We would develop this plan with the operator, RCMP, Penticton Fire Department, City Bylaw Services and 100 More Homes. We would share a direct phone number for the building when it opens. Staff would be available 24/7 as a point of contact for neighbours. Staff would also work to build positive relationships in the neighbourhood.

Community engagement

A caring community can support the well-being of temporary housing residents. BC Housing and the City of Penticton will keep lines of communication open throughout this project.

  • On October 24, 2025, the City of Penticton hand delivered a letter to neighbours to introduce this proposed project.
  • On November 20, 2025, the City of Penticton and BC Housing hosted an in-person open house. Neighbours viewed project information, met project representatives, and asked questions. View the poster boards from the event.
  • On November 25 and 26, 2025, the City of Penticton hosted two virtual information sessions for this project for community members. This virtual session included a presentation by the City of Penticton followed by a Q&A session where BC Housing was available to answer questions.

Questions?

For more information about this project, please download our Community FAQ.

For questions about the site location and dog park, please email City of Penticton at blake.laven@penticton.ca.

For questions about the temporary housing project, please email BC Housing at communityrelations@bchousing.org.

BC Housing, in partnership with the City of Penticton, are proposing to build up to 50 units of temporary housing with supports at 616 Okanagan Avenue East.

The Province would fund this project through the HEART and HEARTH program. Penticton is a priority community for this program.

Development timeline

The City of Penticton is providing the land for this housing. This project requires a Temporary Use Permit (TUP). A TUP is typically for 3 years with the opportunity for renewal with Council approval. City Council will consider a TUP for the site on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 (see sidebar for details)

We will share more details about the project and timeline as they are available.

About the temporary housing

Temporary housing provides a step between a shelter and a permanent home. Residents are local adults (19+) who need support services to maintain stable housing. They can include seniors and people with disabilities.

BC Housing would select an experienced non-profit housing operator to manage the building. We would introduce the operator after they are selected. The operator would also provide services including:

  • On-site 24/7 staff support
  • Daily meals
  • Health care referrals
  • Connection to health services (including addiction and mental health programs and overdose prevention services)
  • Outreach, life skills training, employment assistance
  • Connection and referral to community services and support groups

BC Housing uses a community-based assessment process to offer people temporary housing. This process considers people’s individual needs and the supports available.

All residents make a choice to live there. They pay rent and sign program agreements. All residents would take part in case planning and work towards long-term housing and health goals.

We would create a Safety Plan for this housing. We would develop this plan with the operator, RCMP, Penticton Fire Department, City Bylaw Services and 100 More Homes. We would share a direct phone number for the building when it opens. Staff would be available 24/7 as a point of contact for neighbours. Staff would also work to build positive relationships in the neighbourhood.

Community engagement

A caring community can support the well-being of temporary housing residents. BC Housing and the City of Penticton will keep lines of communication open throughout this project.

  • On October 24, 2025, the City of Penticton hand delivered a letter to neighbours to introduce this proposed project.
  • On November 20, 2025, the City of Penticton and BC Housing hosted an in-person open house. Neighbours viewed project information, met project representatives, and asked questions. View the poster boards from the event.
  • On November 25 and 26, 2025, the City of Penticton hosted two virtual information sessions for this project for community members. This virtual session included a presentation by the City of Penticton followed by a Q&A session where BC Housing was available to answer questions.

Questions?

For more information about this project, please download our Community FAQ.

For questions about the site location and dog park, please email City of Penticton at blake.laven@penticton.ca.

For questions about the temporary housing project, please email BC Housing at communityrelations@bchousing.org.