Kelowna supportive housing fire leaves tenants with terminated rental agreements
The City of Kelowna says it's aware of the situation and recognizes the challenges residents are facing as they navigate next steps for housing.
A fire at a Kelowna supportive housing complex on October 5 has left 50 residents homeless, with extensive damage expected to require extensive remediation work. Patricia Bacon, executive director of the John Howard Society of Okanagan and Kootenay, expressed devastation over the loss of the Hearthstone facility, which was largely spared by the fire.
However, the resulting uninhabitable conditions under a frustrated tenancy led the society to terminate residents' rental agreements. Despite efforts to find alternative accommodations for tenants, some chose to remain in outdoor encampments. With winter approaching, questions remain about additional support available to affected residents.
The City of Kelowna is working with BC Housing outreach teams to address immediate needs. The cause of the fire has not been determined, and the facility's reopening is not expected until 2027.
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