The City of Penticton is proposing the construction of 50 temporary tiny homes to address homelessness in the community. The homes would be located at Dartmouth Dog Park and serve as transitional housing, offering a step between shelters and permanent housing. This initiative aims to provide a solution for individuals who have been stuck in shelters for extended periods, freeing up space for people living outdoors. The city’s April 2024 homeless count reported 194 homeless individuals, with 78 living unsheltered.
Joey Gibson, a local resident from an encampment, supports the project, noting it would provide people with more personal space and security. A similar initiative in Kelowna, which has 180 tiny homes across three sites, has seen positive results, with over 100 people transitioning to permanent housing.
However, the Penticton proposal has faced opposition, with over 1,200 petitioners expressing concerns about the lack of public consultation and the concentration of social services in one area, particularly near schools. MLA Amelia Boultbee also called for more details on the plan. B.C. Housing has assured that 24-hour support staff, cameras, fencing, and controlled access will be part of the project, which will be funded by the province’s homelessness program.
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