A new report from the City of West Kelowna shows housing instability and homelessness are rising, with most people stuck in limbo, not in crisis, but far from secure.
The Westside Unique Identifier Count 2024, based on 212 survey participants and additional data from shelters and support agencies, found that eight in ten people don’t earn enough to meet basic needs.
Half of respondents struggle to pay rent, and one in three saw increases that made housing harder to afford. Financial strain remains the top reason people lose housing, with illness, mental health, and job loss also playing a role.
The largest share of the homeless population is now aged 25 to 45, while seniors aged 65+ are increasingly vulnerable, making up 17 per cent of the housing-unstable and 20 per cent of the homeless. Youth under 25 are just two per cent of the housing-unstable, but represent 20 per cent of those experiencing homelessness. Foundry Wellness on Wheels served 61 youth in 2024, though many more are believed to be in need.
Indigenous residents face layered challenges. Thirty-five percent have been in the child welfare system, and many report low income, landlord conflicts, and disabilities. On Westbank First Nation lands, over half of respondents struggle to pay for housing, and many homes need major repairs. Indigenous seniors continue to be over-represented.
Most people experiencing homelessness are originally from the Okanagan, mainly Kelowna, with many relocating to the Westside for family, shelter access, or cheaper housing. While some technically have shelter, 63 per cent say it’s not affordable. Others live in unsafe or overcrowded conditions. Some are escaping domestic violence, facing discrimination, or have been rejected by family.
The survey also revealed that only 40 per cent of respondents are Canadian citizens, and international students now make up eight per cent of the housing-unstable population.
Demand for support services is growing. The Central Okanagan Food Bank’s Westside branch served 1,740 people in November 2024, double from two years earlier. The Rent Bank also helped many families stay housed. PIERS, a local support organization, served 85 clients, many of them seniors, youth, Indigenous people, and newcomers.
Emergency shelters remain hard to access. In 2024, 76 per cent of people who needed a shelter, but didn’t go, said it was due to safety concerns, separation from family, or barriers like no pets, poor conditions, and lack of transportation.
Homelessness on the Westside rose to 85 people in 2024, up from 62 in 2022. Most are men, nearly one in five are Indigenous, and many have been without housing for years.
The report recommends a centralized service hub to provide one-stop access to essential supports including food, shelter, employment, mental health services, and government aid.
However, a proposed hygiene centre for unhoused individuals was rejected by city council in July 2024, partly due to its location near schools and a playground. Council also heard that partnering organizations had withdrawn their support for the site at 2545 Churchill Road.
The Westside Unique Identifier Count 2024 report will be present at council’s June 24 meeting.
