The Government of B.C. has announced that 60 new temporary tiny homes will be built to house people experiencing housing insecurity in Kelowna.
The new community of homes will be called Balsam Place and will be located at 3199 Appaloosa Road.
Balsam Place will be the third tiny house community, called Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) sites, in Kelowna.
"We're making meaningful progress addressing homelessness in Kelowna and throughout B.C.," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs at the press conference in Kelowna. "Everyone deserves a safe, inclusive place to live and a chance to build a secure future. These 60 new homes are another step toward bringing people in, off the streets, and keeping our communities strong."
Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas told the crowd at the announcement that the first two HEARTH sites in Kelowna, located at 759 Crawley Avenue), and 2470 Highway 97, more than 60 people have been able to transition into permanent housing.
Together, STEP Place on Crawley, Trailside Housing on Highway 97, and now Balsam Place will provide a total of 179 units to people who are experiencing housing insecurity.
"With Balsam Place, we are helping even more individuals take the next step on their path out of homelessness, while also working to create a safer, healthier community for everyone."
Each temporary home includes a private entrance, bed, desk, mini fridge, heating and air conditioning, and storage space. The site also provides shared areas for dining, lounging and laundry, as well as access to overdose-prevention services, care professionals, and support and safety services, such as life-skills programming, support-group referrals, security lighting and cameras. The site also includes multiple safety features to maintain resident safety including, security cameras and controlled access gates.
Also on-site are social workers who can connect residents to supports like counselling and care for mental health and addiction.
Connective, a non-profit housing operator, was selected to manage day-to-day operations at Balsam Place.
Tenants are expected to move in gradually from July 2025. The temporary site, like the other tiny home communities in Kelowna, is expected to remain in-place for at least three years.
