Residents of temporary housing speak to neighbours concerns

Photo: Wayne Moore

Cody

For some men and women using temporary shelter at the Super 8 Motel in West Kelowna, it's the first time they have been able to get a good nights sleep in years.

"Living on the streets, you don't sleep much," said Joshua.

"You almost have to sleep with one eye open all the time."

As many as 40 people, previously homeless, have taken shelter at the West Kelowna motel after BC Housing secured the site to get people off the the streets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents of the area, upset they were not notified an "isolation site" was coming into their neighbourhood, have started a petition asking that it be removed.

Josh Winquist, in charge of communication with Vernon-based Turning Points Collaborative which is running the site, understands those concerns, and says they can't be discounted.

"If a neighbourhood feels there are safety issues, if there are issues with security, then they have a right to feel that," said Winquist.

"But, we also want to be able to have open dialogue. We want to be able to communicate and provide education and awareness over the issue. We invite the neighbourhood to join us in that discussion.

Cody, who also lives in the Super 8, says he's stressed about the reaction of neighbours, and doesn't want to bother people.

"We don't want to be stereotyped as being bad people for the community. We just want to be here and be a part of the community," said Cody.

"It's really important because I was homeless for quite a few years. To sleep in my own bed is really different. I'm still trying to get used to it."

As for suggestions they find a new place to live, Cody says he sorry they feel that way, but says any place they go, neighbours will feel the same way.

Shane, who came down from Vernon to support the residents at Super 8, says he has been in apartment housing for a year after spending two years on the streets.

"Housing is everything," he says.

"It's tough to go out and find a job if you're living in the bush. A lot of us want to work."

Joshua added the residents now have access to programs to help them get back on the right track, programs they never had access to before.