Can this tiny home development reduce 'tent city'?

The first development of very small units for people experiencing homelessness is being moved into position.

The 60 urgently needed temporary transitional homes on Crowley Avenue in the North End are mainly for people currently living in local indoor shelters.

They are located across the street from the encampment for the homeless and it’s hoped the project can ultimately reduce the amount of people living in the so-called ‘tent city.’

The prefabricated units were craned into position Tuesday. They should be ready for occupancy the third week of February after services are installed and staff are trained.

The pilot project is being billed as a gateway to permanent housing options.

The idea is to accommodate people on a short-term basis from indoor shelters who are ready for the next step to more independent housing. That then frees up space in the shelters for those currently living in outdoor encampments.

Each detached unit features a bed, storage shelving, a mini fridge and heating.

The site has a community room and kitchen, and shared washroom facilities.

John Howard Society of Okanagan and Kelowna will be the non-profit operator and will provide supports and services including daily meals, laundry and shower facilities, health care referrals and wellness checks.

Executive Director Patricia Bacon said as many as 18 new people are being brought into the organization to add to the specialists already onboard to help staff the site.

“There are many people in current shelters, and they’ve been stuck without having much opportunity to get some of the programming support this STEP program will provide,” Bacon told Kelowna10. The new development will be called STEP Place.

“Particularly in the winter months, the shelters run full…it’s about reducing bottlenecks.”

It remains to be seen how many of the near 200 people living in tents at the outdoor encampment across the street will soon get access to emergency indoor shelter space.

Some people there told Kelowna10 they were not overly impressed by the tiny homes.

“I’m 50/50 on them,” Connie, who has been homeless for two years, said. “ I think they’re a great idea for getting people off the street and out of the cold, but they have no bathrooms … they’re basically just a hospital room.”

Meanwhile Jaylinn, who has been homeless since she was 12, said she wouldn’t feel comfortable living in them.

“I know where everyone is [in the encampment], I know who everyone is. I get to choose where I put my belongings and who I let near me.”

Bacon, with John Howard Society said there will always be two or three trained people on site 24/7, the community kitchen will be a community-building and skill development opportunity, and the bathrooms are not large or communal.

“ They’re three-piece bathrooms: a toilet, sink and shower and you can close the door…you can have privacy there.”

A second batch of tiny homes will be going up on Highway 97 not far from the intersection with McCurdy Road.