Youth Housing & Services

More than 12% of people experiencing homelessness in Kelowna are young people under the age of 24

At CMHA Kelowna, we believe that no matter how young or how old – everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

We know that young people have their own unique and distinct needs and that’s why our youth housing is designed to address those needs. We offer housing for young adults aged 17-24 along with specific supports so they can begin to stabilize their lives and have an opportunity to thrive. CMHA Kelowna works directly with A Way Home Kelowna in order to identify youth who are homeless or at the risk of homelessness and provide them with access to housing, and the necessary and age-appropriate supports that focus on health, well-being, life skills, engagement in education and employment, and social inclusion.

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Housing First for Youth (HF4Y)

Just as we do with adults, we use the Housing First model so we can support youth to find and maintain housing that is safe, affordable, and appropriate, as well as provide them with supports that focus on wellness and social inclusion. Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) is a youth-specific adaption of the traditional Housing First model.

Housing services dedicated specifically to youth in our region.

For more information about the Youth Homelessness Service Referral Package, please see the link below.

Referral Form (PDF)

Bright Mindz Youth Housing Initiative

To support our community’s Youth Homelessness Prevention Plan with A Way Home Kelowna, we are proud to be the lead operator of Bright Mindz. Bright Mindz is a youth housing initiative comprised of 18 micro suites for youth between the ages of 17-24 who are on the path towards adulthood. These independent suites provide a safe, supportive environment where they can continue to increase their level of education, develop life skills and natural supports that will transition them into adulthood and self-sufficiency. With a key focus on advancing a young person’s education or career, these suites provide homes to young people to experience independence while still having access to support.

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McCurdy Place

Dedicated floor for youth 17 – 24 years old.
Diverse and specialized supports that are unique to this building include: Mental Health & Substance Use Specialist, Home Support Worker, Youth Housing Worker, Recreation Worker.

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Partnerships

We would like to thank Worman Homes for their commitment to the Bright Mindz youth housing initiative and to addressing youth homelessness in our community. Through our partnership with A Way Home Kelowna, we have convened local partners to support this initiative, including

Boys and Girls Clubs Okanagan
The Bridge Youth and Family Services
ARC Program
Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society
Central Okanagan Journey Home Society
Ministry of Children and Family Development
BC Housing

CMHA Kelowna is tremendously grateful for the generous support of the KGH Foundation Kiwanis Legacy Fund for this initiative.

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Find out more about how this organization helps to create a mentally healthy community.

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