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.
91裸聊视频淲e want to let the community know we91裸聊视频檙e here to answer any questions they may have,91裸聊视频� 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.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 important for everyone to understand what individuals and families are facing in these trying times. Homelessness is not just individuals sheltering outdoors, it91裸聊视频檚 individuals who may be one month away from losing their housing and they don91裸聊视频檛 know what to do.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e seen an increase of people needing this extra support,91裸聊视频� she added. 91裸聊视频淭hey need somewhere to turn.91裸聊视频�
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.
91裸聊视频淲e (service providers) have the ending West Kelowna homelessness table where we brainstorm what would and would not work for our community,91裸聊视频� Yadernuck added. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 where we91裸聊视频檒l be bringing these ideas and suggestions back to and going through them.91裸聊视频�
Yadernuck said concerns previously voiced by residents when a hygiene centre was proposed for the community included harm reduction supplies and how they91裸聊视频檙e 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 Julia91裸聊视频檚 Junction playground.
A July 2024 staff report to council stated that 91裸聊视频渒ey partnering organizations have indicated they are no longer interested in pursuing the proposed hygiene centre in the proposed location.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭here were concerns brought forward that we realized needed to be addressed with the community,91裸聊视频� Yadernuck noted. 91裸聊视频淲e thought what a better way than to have an event91裸聊视频t91裸聊视频檚 informal91裸聊视频nd we can address those main concerns, collaborate and build trust and cohesiveness.91裸聊视频�
The gathering also included representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna, the city, bylaw services and other local service providers.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e wanting to engage the community in terms of conversation around the issue an come up with sustainable changes,91裸聊视频� added Magda Kapp, specialist emergency response with United Way BC.
