Kelowna, British Columbia residents in the Capri Landmark neighbourhood are voicing strong opposition to a proposed 40-unit supportive and complex care facility set to be built on Pacific Avenue near Capri Mall. The development, a partnership between the City of Kelowna and BC Housing, aims to provide housing for individuals needing social support, but locals fear it will exacerbate existing issues in the area.
"Major concern," said Tony Lonergan, a resident living in the neighbourhood. He described the streets as already troubled by homeless individuals who, according to him, have damaged buildings and frequently rummage through bins. "Homeless people are walking down these streets. They’ve damaged buildings," Lonergan told Global News. "They’re in here, constantly going in the bins and things. Like, I think…(it) will get worse."
The proposed site is within a two-and-a-half kilometre radius of several other social support facilities, including a halfway house, a former hotel converted into housing for at-risk individuals, and Stephen Village, a supportive housing complex on Agassiz Road. Residents on or near Agassiz Road have been documenting persistent problems, such as open drug use, fights, and break-ins, which they attribute to the concentration of such services in the area.
In a letter to city council, neighbours expressed frustration over what they see as a lack of consultation. "They’re just putting a lot of that kind of facility in this area, and they’re continuing to do it without any consulting of the neighbourhood," Lonergan said. This sentiment echoes broader concerns about urban planning in Kelowna, where the city has been expanding affordable and supportive housing options amid British Columbia's ongoing housing crisis.
The facility is designed to offer both supportive and complex care, catering to people with varying needs, including those with mental health challenges or vulnerabilities. According to project details, construction is slated to begin soon, with the building expected to be operational by 2027 if timelines hold. BC Housing has emphasized its commitment to community engagement, stating it will continue to share updates and keep lines of communication open with neighbours as the project advances.
At a city council meeting on November 18, Mayor Tom Dyas addressed the residents' worries directly during a vote on project-related parking variances. "I truly want all of you to know that none of what you have said goes unheard, we hear everything you say," Dyas assured the group. His comments came amid discussions on how the new development might impact local traffic and parking, though the core concerns revolved around safety and quality of life.
No city officials were available for comment on Friday, but in a prepared statement, the City of Kelowna reiterated its dedication to the initiative while prioritizing community feedback. "While this initiative is moving forward, we are committed to doing so in a way that reflects community input and builds trust," the statement read. It further outlined plans to incorporate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, including enhanced lighting, natural surveillance, clear sightlines, and controlled access to ensure the site's safety.
The neighbourhood's unease is not isolated. Kelowna's Capri Landmark area, centred around the popular Capri Mall, has seen a rise in social services over the past few years as part of provincial efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity. British Columbia's government has invested heavily in such projects, with BC Housing overseeing dozens across the Okanagan region. However, this concentration has led to pushback in several communities, where residents argue that services are being clustered without adequate support infrastructure.
For instance, Stephen Village on Agassiz Road, which provides supportive housing, has been the site of reported incidents that have heightened local anxieties. Residents there have shared accounts of public disturbances, including altercations and property crimes, which they link directly to the facility's operations. While police data on these incidents was not immediately available, the anecdotal evidence from locals has fueled calls for more balanced distribution of resources across the city.
Supporters of the project, including housing advocates not quoted in immediate responses, point to the desperate need for more options in Kelowna, where the vacancy rate hovers below 2 percent and rents continue to climb. The 40-unit facility would represent a modest addition to the city's inventory of over 1,000 supportive housing units province-wide, but critics like Lonergan worry it tips the scales too far in one neighbourhood. "It's compounding the problems," he added, highlighting the proximity to existing services as a key issue.
The city's approach to the project includes variances for parking, approved last month, to accommodate the development's needs without overburdening street spaces. This decision followed public input sessions where residents raised flags about potential increases in foot traffic and related disruptions. Dyas's assurance at the meeting was part of a broader effort to reassure the community, though some locals remain skeptical about the follow-through.
BC Housing's role in the partnership underscores the provincial dimension of the initiative. As the agency responsible for funding and developing affordable housing, it has faced similar controversies in other B.C. cities like Vancouver and Victoria, where neighbourhood opposition has delayed or altered projects. In Kelowna, officials are banking on design features to mitigate risks, drawing from successful models elsewhere that integrate community safety measures from the outset.
Looking ahead, the project timeline positions it as a key test case for how Kelowna balances growth with resident concerns. With construction potentially starting in the coming months, neighbours are organizing to monitor progress and advocate for adjustments. The city's statement promises ongoing dialogue, but whether that translates to meaningful changes remains to be seen.
As Kelowna grapples with these tensions, the debate reflects wider challenges in Canadian urban centres: how to expand social supports without alienating communities. For now, the Pacific Avenue site stands as a flashpoint, where hopes for inclusive housing collide with fears of neighbourhood decline. Residents like Lonergan continue to watch closely, hoping their voices will shape the final outcome before shovels hit the ground.
The implications extend beyond Capri Landmark, potentially influencing how future facilities are sited in the Okanagan. If the project proceeds as planned, it could serve as a model—or a cautionary tale—for integrating social services into established areas. With 2027 on the horizon, all eyes are on how the city navigates this delicate balance.