Kelowna supports housing fire leaves tenants with terminated leases – Okanagan

A Kelowna supportive housing complex remains empty one month after a fire forced all 50 residents from their homes, with extensive smoke and water damage expected to require lengthy remediation work.

“We’re devastated. It’s a loss for Kelowna and we’re heartbroken,” said Patricia Bacon, executive director of the John Howard Society of the Okanagan and Kootenay.

The Hearthstone support facility on Commerce Avenue was largely spared from the Oct. 5 fire, which was contained to one unit.

However, the resulting damage left the building uninhabitable and prompted the John Howard Society of the Okanagan and Kootenay to vacate the residents’ lease under what is known as a frustrated tenant.

A frustrated tenancy occurs when a rental property becomes uninhabitable due to circumstances beyond the control of the landlord or tenant.

“It’s considered a frustrated tenancy when, through no fault of the landlord or tenant, there is no habitable space to rent, usually earthquakes, fires, those types of things,” Bacon explained.

The John Howard Society says it has helped residents find alternative accommodation, including sheltered rooms and beds, although not everyone has taken up the options.

“We found some shelter places, some shelter beds, etc. So no one was out on the street,” said Bacon. “However, some people did not choose the options that we made available to them. Some people actually chose to use the outdoor storage.”

With winter comes questions about what additional support is available for those affected.

The City of Kelowna says it is aware of the situation and recognizes the challenges residents face as they navigate the next steps for housing.

“Staff are working with BC Housing outreach teams to identify and respond to the immediate needs of residents who do not yet have access to shelter or temporary housing options,” said Stephanie Martin, Social Development Supervisor for the City of Kelowna.

Before remediation work can begin, assessments must be completed to determine the full extent of the damage. Crews must also finish collecting any items that can be salvaged from the building.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

For Bacon, the closure represents a significant loss of an important resource for some of Kelowna’s most vulnerable residents.

“It’s so important to have this kind of housing available for people who are very vulnerable, where the support staff are there to provide compassionate care and support and navigation and things, healthcare. We had a food program in there,” she said. “All that is lost.”

The terminal is not expected to reopen until sometime in 2027, leaving residents and the community without an important source of supportive housing in the meantime.

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