Kelowna

Homelessness Action Week in British Columbia comes to an end Sunday.

This year, more than 97,000 BC households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

Throughout the week, events have highlighted the dedicated efforts of individuals and organizations committed to ending homelessness in communities across the province.

A release issued Friday by the BC Government points out that this year in Kelowna that meant celebrating the completion of the third and final supportive housing development built under a partnership between the province and the City of Kelowna.

The three developments, New Gate Apartments, Tutt Street Place, and Willowbridge, provide 128 apartments for those who were homeless in Kelowna. People have a safe place to live, where they are understood, supported and connected to the services they need to stabilize and rebuild their life.

“The BC Government is committed to ensuring individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have access to housing and support services. By providing affordable housing with services under one roof, we are creating an environment where individuals’ needs are better met,” says Ben Stewart, Minister of Citizens’ Services and Open Government and MLA for Westside-Kelowna.

In Kelowna, the Province supports 80 emergency shelter spaces and over 400 subsidized apartments units. There are outreach teams that help connect people with the services and supports they need to get off the street, and nearly 400 homes for people with special needs, frail seniors, or women and children at risk of violence.

In total, over $19 million for subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 3,000 Kelowna households is provided.

Homelessness Action Week is an opportunity to learn about homelessness, the work being done to support them, and how to get involved. You can find out more online.