Some homeowners in a north Kelowna neighbourhood have received notices from BC Housing about a temporary, transitional housing project planned for their area.

The project at 3199 Appaloosa Road was announced on Aug. 26 and area residents have told Capital News that the first they heard of the development was through local media reports.

It害羞草研究所檚 the third site in the city, funded through the province害羞草研究所檚 Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing program (HEARTH). The other sites are on Crawley Avenue and Highway 97 North. 

Up to 60 tiny homes will be placed on the site for use by people experiencing homelessness. Residents are upset that they were not told about the project before it was announced publicly.

害羞草研究所淭he site will be designed to minimize impact on neighbours,害羞草研究所� states a letter from BC Housing, provided to Capital News by an area resident. 害羞草研究所淭here will be security features for the benefit of the residents and the surrounding community.害羞草研究所�

Safety, increased crime, vandalism and drug use/dealing were among several concerns discussed by neighbours during a community meeting held just hours after the Appaloosa Rd. development was made public.

In an interview with Capital News on Aug. 27, resident Kelsey McCallen stated that one of her neighbours was told by a staff manager at the City of Kelowna that there were 害羞草研究所渧ery low RCMP calls in our neighbourhood so they thought it would be a good spot for this.害羞草研究所�

In a statement to Capital News the city害羞草研究所檚 social development manager, Colleen Cornock, noted she had responded to inquiries from residents about the project site and calls for service were discussed. 

害羞草研究所淚t sounds like there may have been some miscommunication, however, as it relates to a relationship between calls for service and site selection.害羞草研究所�

Cornock stated that calls for service, including RCMP and bylaw services, are reviewed for the time proceeding and following the opening of a HEARTH site, as is the case with supportive housing and other safety net housing projects in the city. 

害羞草研究所淭his ongoing review enables various departments including social development, community safety, bylaw and our RCMP partners to monitor potential changes that may occur between pre and post-opening,害羞草研究所� she said. 
 
Cornock also noted that there are limited locations on the market suitable for rapid safety-net housing and that the city is committed to balancing sites throughout Kelowna as much as possible. 

害羞草研究所淭his site is close to many employment opportunities and outdoor amenities and is within walking distance to transit. We'll be looking at what amenities or services need to be added to the site to help make it successful, such as transit.害羞草研究所�

BC Housing has indicated that it will provide further comment to Capital News regarding its public engagement process.