Kelowna Gospel Mission, city ramps up outreach amid Okanagan heat warning

Heat impacting homeless

With temperatures climbing as high as 38°C this week, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission is ramping up efforts to help the city’s homeless community stay safe during the ongoing heat warning across the Okanagan.

Executive director Trevor Freeman says outreach teams are working hard to reach the estimated 300 people currently living outdoors in Kelowna.

“We are taking out sunhats and Gatorade to help people manage the really hot temperatures if they don't have easy access to shelter,” Freeman said. “We are also sending out some teams in some harder-to-reach areas... places we wouldn't normally go, to folks who may be sheltering in some tucked away places for share.”

The Mission’s shelter is at capacity, meaning it cannot offer indoor space for people to cool down, even briefly.

"So that's why our team is out and that's why we have the extra teams out,” Freeman added.

In addition to the Mission’s outreach, the City of Kelowna’s bylaw services will also be keeping a close eye on tent city.

Nick Bonnett, Kelowna bylaw services supervisor, says tent city residents that would normally be asked to pack up and move on each morning can stay on site during the day while the heat wave persists.

"In other areas of the city we are going to triage and asses the impact as we go," Bonnett added, urging anyone who wishes to help to directly connect with local agencies.

''We encourage everyone to approach existing services... so Kelowna's Gospel Mission, Metro Hub, Canadian Mental Health Association. There are agencies in our community that are plugged in and doing this work and so I always recommend work with those agencies and connect with them and that will see the greatest value," he said.

Freeman is asking the public to show compassion and help when possible.

“If you see someone who is in medical distress, please either call 911 or the non-emergency number to get them the professional help they need,” he said. “Otherwise, I hope we would all do the same thing for anyone who is having a hard time… check in and see if they are ok.”

Health officials warn that early signs of heat-related illness include fatigue, thirst, headache, dark urine, and feeling unwell—symptoms that can quickly become life-threatening without intervention.

WorkSafeBC is also urging employers to protect workers during extreme heat. Between 2020 and 2024, the agency accepted 315 claims related to heat injuries. If conditions become unsafe and heat can’t be managed, employers are advised to stop work until it’s safe to continue.