CMHA Kelowna

Supporting a Mentally Healthy Kelowna

  • Mental Health
    • Find Help Now
    • Learn About Mental Illnesses
    • Explore Your Mental Health
    • Talking to Teens About Mental Health
    • Supporting a Friend or Family Member
    • Workplace Mental Health
    • Preventing Suicide
  • Programs & Services
    • Youth & Families
      • Foundry Kelowna
      • Foundry Kelowna’s Wellness on Wheels
      • Youth Housing & Services
    • Housing
      • CMHA Kelowna Housing
      • Youth Housing & Services
      • Central Okanagan Rent Bank
      • Rent Supplements
      • Case Management
      • Homelessness Outreach Navigator
      • Scattered Sites Program
    • Wellness
    • Virtual Counselling Services
  • Community Education
  • Ways to Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Events & Activities Calendar
    • Host, Sponsor or Support an Event
    • The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride
    • Volunteer
  • Discovery College
  • About Us

Home » News » Heath House will help meet urgent housing need in Kelowna

Heath House will help meet urgent housing need in Kelowna

January 28, 2019 By 1 Comment


Photo credit: Michael Hintringer
*This release originally appeared on the BC Housing website

People experiencing homelessness have a new place to call home with the Heath House opening its doors in Kelowna.

In response to the need to address homelessness, the Province, with the support of the City of Kelowna, purchased and renovated the former Good Night Inn and Howard Johnson Travel Lodge at 2639 Highway 97. Renamed Heath House, 40 newly renovated homes are now providing supportive housing for people in need.

“With the opening of this building, we’ve now built 86 homes with supports to help people experiencing homelessness in Kelowna, with a further 100 underway,” said Selina Robinson Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “These new homes will make a significant difference in people’s lives, and the whole community will benefit when those in need receive the supports they need to rebuild their lives.”

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna will operate the building. It will provide around-the-clock services, including meal programs, life and employment skills training, and health and wellness supports. “Providing homes with appropriate supports is fundamental to supporting the health and wellness for people who may have been homeless for a long time,” said Shelagh Turner, executive director, CMHA Kelowna. “Housing stability is the first step in clearing the way so people can thrive and move towards an improved quality of life.”

Each unit will have its own bathroom, bed and mini kitchen with apartment-sized refrigerators and freezers. All residents will have access to common amenity areas, including a laundry room, communal kitchen and a lounge area. “I am pleased to see more homes in place for Kelowna residents struggling with homelessness,” said Colin Basran, mayor, City of Kelowna. “Heath House will provide safe, secure housing to our community members who need it most.”

The Province provided approximately $7.35 million to purchase and renovate the building Renovations included creating indoor gathering areas for residents, providing appropriate fencing and landscaping around the property, as well as electrical and safety upgrades.

 Quick Facts:

  • During the 2018 point-in-time counts of homelessness conducted in March, 286 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Kelowna.
  • In addition to the 40 homes at Heath House, the Province is working to address the
  • homelessness and housing challenges in Kelowna through a number of other supportive house projects, including:
    • 46 homes at 1642 Commerce Ave. – opened in October 2018
    • 52 homes at 2025 Agassiz Rd. – in development
    • Up to 50 homes at 280 McIntosh Rd. – in development
  • The Province is also investing in housing for low- to- middle-income people in Kelowna through the Building BC: Community Housing Fund, with two projects in Kelowna, including:
    • $3.3 million to the City of Kelowna – 33 homes for families
    • $4 million to NOW Canada Society – 40 homes for families, seniors and women with children
  • Residents at Heath House will be charged a monthly rental rate of $375, the social assistance shelter allowance provided by the Province.
  • This project builds on the work government is doing to reduce poverty in British Columbia. In October 2018, the B.C. government introduced the Poverty Reduction Strategy Act. Informed by thousands of people who participated in a comprehensive public consultation, the act sets out targets and defines the scope of the poverty reduction strategy, which is scheduled to be released in early 2019.

Click here to find out more about CMHA Kelowna supportive housing as well as our other programs and services.

 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: CMHA Kelowna housing, Heath House, homelessness, homelessness Kelowna, Supportive housing CMHA Kelowna, supportive Housing Kelowna

More Recent News

Community rallies for Ride
News
June 14, 2022

Community rallies for Ride

Coming together for a common cause was the theme Sunday morning, June 12, as 250 riders and walkers took part in The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride, presented by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation. The event raised $106,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna for essential programs and services for mental health […]

Read More
New CEO announced for CMHA Kelowna
News
April 20, 2022

New CEO announced for CMHA Kelowna

April 20, 2022 ~ A new CEO for CMHA Kelowna has been announced. Mike Gawliuk, currently the Director of Service Delivery and Program Innovation at the organization, has accepted the role of CEO effective June 1, 2022. After completing a rigorous selection process, CMHA Kelowna Board Chair Stuart Yanow says Mike’s incredible experience, knowledge of […]

Read More
Feel like you're running on empty these days? You're not alone.
News
March 1, 2022

Feel like you’re running on empty these days? You’re not alone.

For two years, COVID-19 has plagued us. And for two years, CMHA and UBC have been asking Canadians how they’re doing. Now, in the latest round of research, Canadians are saying they are stressed about what’s coming next. They’re concerned COVID-19 is here to stay. According to the research, 64% of people in Canada are […]

Read More

Comments

  1. Sue Miller says

    September 20, 2020 at 8:31 pm

    I’m so happy to see this happening. As a mother of a son who is struggling with addiction but is working and trying to rebuild his life I feel so grateful that these homes are being made available to so many who could use the assistance . Just to feel that the government sees the value in this is what will really make a difference in his and the lives of so many at risk. Thank you!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

WHO WE ARE

ABOUT CMHA KELOWNA
MISSION VISION & VALUES
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OUR TEAM


WHAT WE DO

REPORTS & IMPACT
LATEST NEWS
NEWSLETTER
COMPLAINTS


GET INVOLVED

CAREERS
EVENTS
GET INVOLVED
MEDIA LIBRARY


CONTACT

CMHA Kelowna
504 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC. V1Y 5X1
Phone: 250-861-3644
Fax: 250-763-4827
E-mail: [email protected]


contact us | resources | privacy | site map

The Standards Program Trustmark is a mark of Imagine Canada used under licence by Canadian Mental Health Association - Kelowna Branch.
CMHA Kelowna Charitable #: 10686 3392 RR0001
Copyright © 2022 Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna