From homelessness to a permanent home, a Kelowna man’s journey highlights transitional housing

Last month, the city announced 60 more transitional housing units that will be located on Appaloosa road near Reid's corner come the new year.

Since moving into  Trailside on Highway 97 North, transitional housing that opened in May, Kelowna, B.C., resident Clint Allen has been painting a mural to make it feel more like home.

“My passion that I’ve discovered recently is art,” said Allen.

But now he’ll have to beautify a new space because after five years of living in homeless shelters,  Trailside along with supports offered there have helped him secure a permanent home starting next month.

“For the first time feeling like a normal human being.” Allen said. “I can’t begin to describe how that feels because I’m still trying to figure it out.”

Allen’s story is one of success but for many others, it’s not as homelessness in Kelowna and across B.C. continues spiraling out of control.

“We take folks who are currently living rough or at shelters  and then bring them in and work with them on whatever it is that they need to work on in order to get permanent, long-term, stable housing and that looks different for everybody.” said Tara Tschritter, regional director of the Southern Interior for Turning Points Collaborative Society, which operates Trailside.

Allen credits the fact he doesn’t have addictions for being able to move successfully  through the system but he also believes more transitional housing is badly needed.

Last month, the city announced 60 more transitional housing units that will be located on Appaloosa road near Reid’s corner come the new year.