Residents living next to Kelowna supportive housing call for city’s help

Kelowna residents say they no longer feel safe in their neighbourhood since Stephen Village, a supportive housing facility opened in 2020. They want the city to take action.

James Wilson moved to the Agassiz Road area in Kelowna nine years ago mostly due to the amenities within walking distance. But now, the 78-year-old says walking in his neighbourhood is unsafe.

“It’s so bad sometimes that when I have to go to the store across the street, I drive,” Wilson said. “I am too scared to walk by some of these people.”

Wilson is among the growing number of people concerned about violence, open drug use, acts of indecent exposure and other criminal offences playing out every day and night.

“This is turning into East Hastings,” said Tyler Zeeman, another concerned area resident, referring to a notorious neighbourhood in Vancouver fraught with homeless encampments and crime.

The Kelowna residents say the problems in their neighbourhood started shortly after the opening of Stephen Village in 2020, a supportive housing facility for those experiencing homelessness.

“Late night screaming and yelling, garbage, just feeling unsafe.  I have my parents coming this Friday and they know they are not allowed to go for their morning walks,” said area resident Sureena Bentz.  “It’s unsafe and I don’t want my parents or anybody else to see the type of drug abuse, just the nudity, what we see on a day-to-day basis in this community.  I don’t feel comfortable for them.  They are in their 70s.”

The residents previously spoke to Global News about their concerns a month and a half ago and while police have increased patrols in the area, not much else has changed.

“A little bit of clean-up right in front of the building but other than that, it’s gone back to normal,” Bentz said.