Dozens of Kelowna residents learn they won't be returning home after fire (Kelowna)
Fire, smoke and water damage forced the evacuation, and officials say the building remains unsafe with no timeline for repairs or reopening.
- On Monday, October 5, a fire at the Hearthstone supportive housing facility at 1642 Commerce Avenue forced the evacuation of around 50 residents. The building sustained fire, smoke, and heavy water damage from sprinklers.
- Patricia Bacon, CEO of the John Howard Society of Okanagan and Kootenay, described the building as 'quite unsafe.' Residents received 'frustrated tenancy' notices under the B.C. Tenancy Act, ending agreements due to uninhabitable conditions.
- Staff worked to find alternative housing, healthcare, and meal programs to maintain service continuity for residents. Bacon added there was 'not a catastrophic loss of belongings' and expressed relief that no injuries occurred during evacuation.
- Kelowna's network of shelters and transitional housing prevented displaced residents from sleeping on the street. Remediation companies are currently examining the damaged property to assess recovery steps.
- No timeline exists for repairs or the building's reopening, leaving a gap in local supportive housing services. Bacon stated this incident reveals the urgent city-wide need for more deeply affordable housing options.
7 Articles
7 Articles
Dozens of Kelowna residents learn they won't be returning home after fire (Kelowna)
About 50 residents of Kelowna's Hearthstone supportive housing apartments have been told they will not be returning home following an Oct. 5 fire, with the society that operates the building ending their tenancies. Patricia Bacon, CEO of the John Howard Society of Okanagan and Kootenay, said the off...
Kelowna fire at supportive housing complex results in tenant evictions
A fire at a Kelowna supportive housing complex last month displaced 50 residents, prompting the termination of their rental agreements due to a frustrated tenancy. While some residents have secured alternative accommodations, others face uncertain options as winter approaches, with the facility not expected to reopen until 2027.
Kelowna supportive housing fire leaves tenants with terminated rental agreements
A Kelowna supportive housing complex remains vacant 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 Okanagan and Kootenay. [...]
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