Theme 1: Housing, Homelessness, and Basic Needs

What We Heard: Housing instability and unmet basic needs are foundational drivers of visible safety pressures in West Kelowna.

Participants described:

• A shortage of housing that is truly affordable and matched to people’s needs
• Hidden homelessness, including couch surfing and precarious living arrangements
• Growing food insecurity and affordability pressures
• A lack of daytime spaces, washrooms, and hygiene access
• A cycle of displacement rather than resolution

When housing, food, hygiene, and stabilization supports are missing, the impacts show up in public spaces, neighbourhood tensions, and emergency systems.

How might we strengthen access to stable housing and basic day-to-day supports in West Kelowna so that fewer people enter crisis and public spaces are not the default place to meet basic needs?