About 100 people who鈥檝e been homeless have worked to tidy up downtown Kelowna since last fall, city councillors will hear today.
The 鈥楥ommunity Cares鈥 project is designed to provide employment experiences 鈥渇or people with lived and living experiences of homelessness鈥, according to a report to council.听
鈥淪ince the fall of 2024, the new peer supported work opportunities program has resulted in over 1,200 participant hours involving approximately 100 individuals,鈥 the report states.听
鈥淐lean-up efforts focus on areas within the boundaries of the Uptown Rutland Business Association and the Downtown Kelowna Association,鈥 it says.听
The report to council includes unsigned testimonials from participants about the project鈥檚 success. Comments include: 鈥楤eing part of the community care crew has motivated me in so many ways to stay positive in looking for long-term employment鈥, 鈥楤uilding back to work confidence鈥, and 鈥楬elps people back into routine and responsibility鈥.
The information on the tidy-up project was relayed in a report on various social initiatives undertaken or planned by the city.听
Program components relate to homelessness, mental health, safety, and food security. Investing in social development projects, the city believes, can 鈥渄ecrease reliance on limited and costly crisis intervention or emergency response strategies, such as police, bylaw enforcement, and fire services,鈥 per the report.听
So far, 120 of the 180 small-housing units funded by the province have been established in Kelowna to help people transition away from homelessness. The remaining 60 tiny homes, at 3199 Appaloosa Road, will be completed next month with people moving in by the summer.听
Other initiatives are designed to support existing drug treatment and recovery programs, steer youth away from gang involvement, and work with schools to identify teens who may be at future risk of homelessness.