Construction started on tiny homes in Kelowna

People experiencing homelessness in Kelowna will soon have access to new temporary shelter.

Work has started to build 60 temporary “tiny homes” on city-owned land at 759 Crowley Avenue, as previously announced by the City of Kelowna and the B.C. government.

“As part of our Belonging in B.C. plan, this site will provide interim housing options for people experiencing homelessness in the community, while more permanent options are being considered,” Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, said.

“These new homes will help prevent and reduce homelessness by providing immediate shelter and supports to people in encampments or sheltering in public spaces. We will continue to work with partners to make sure people in Kelowna have safe and affordable homes they need.”

The new, single-room unit supportive housing style homes are intended to be a temporary housing solution while the city and B.C. Housing work together to identify new permanent supportive housing options.

The first batch of housing is expected to be complete in early 2024.

“I’m very excited to see this tiny village take shape,” Tom Dyas, mayor of Kelowna, said.

“This is an innovative approach that brings swift and meaningful action to our community. This addresses housing gaps, helps people transition to safe, dignified shelter and ultimately reduces the number of individuals sheltering outside. As partners, we’re working diligently together and look forward to welcoming people into these new units as soon as possible.”

The tiny-homes will be operated by a non-profit organization to provide support services such as daily meals, access to skills training, and support navigating the housing system. The residents will be assessed upon moving in so they can be matched with appropriate supports.

The homes are part of the province’s new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEART) program, which is a pilot to see if tiny homes could be a viable response to homelessness in B.C.

A timeline for construction of the other 60 temporary units of modular workforce housing promised as part of the partnership between the city and the province has not been finalized.