STEPHEN VILLAGE – A PETITION FOR CHANGE

In 2019 BC Housing proposed the building of Stephen Village, a housing project to support individuals with diverse needs, including homelessness, mental health concerns, and substance misuse. The facility was approved and built in 2020 in the Ambrosi Neighborhood of Kelowna. 

At the time, there were many concerns raised. In particular, the risk that people with active addictions can pose to the abundance of senior residences, an Orthodox Church, children’s playground, and community garden, all within one block of the facility. It was clear then that this ‘wet facility’ was not developed with the best interest of the neighborhood in mind. It was characterized as a rushed, one-step, band-aid solution that will threaten the safety and security of those in the local community. 

It has been four years since this facility was built and many of the concerns of how it would negatively impact the neighborhood have sadly come true. Even with a safe injection site in the facility, the residents of Stephen Village are seen continually going outside using drugs with their friends. This scene attracts others, and the area has become a hot spot for groups to congregate. These groups will stay for days, using drugs and loitering in the alley behind Stephen Village at the corner of Agassiz and Vasile Rd. 

Since Stephen Village was built, the neighborhood has been affected in the following ways:

• An increase in vandalism such as smashing irrigation systems, spray painting local buildings, setting the dumpsters on fire behind Orchard Plaza, and uprooting expensive planted vegetation.
• An increase in petty crimes such as items stolen from ground floor units, parked cars, and break-ins into the condo garages.
• A shocking increase in drug dealing activity. Video documented footage of residents of Stephen Village selling drugs on the streets outside of the building and an increase in vehicle traffic where deals are made in parked cars throughout the day and night. (see linked video below).
• An increase in violence. In the summer of 2023, there was a stabbing incident that involved a local +55 resident who tried to get a group to move as they were blocking his garage entrance and on June 23, 2024 there was another individual who was violently stabbed just feet from our condo. There are physical altercations that occur daily, some quite violent, individuals walking down the streets with weapons such as machetes, bats, tire irons, golf clubs and swords and extremely loud aggressive shouting and verbal assaults that occur 24 hours a day.
• A greater sense of fear in the community, not feeling comfortable walking down the street, concerns for children playing outside and pets eating discarded drugs.
• The mental health impact of individuals in the neighborhood who are woken up numerous times throughout the night and the long-lasting effects of sleep-deprivation, especially for the working-class who must continue to work through exhaustion.
• Noise pollution and the impact the violent sounds have, people are no longer interested in sitting on their balconies or opening windows, not just at night but during the day. 

Over the years, many individuals have contacted Stephen Village, by-laws and the RCMP with their concerns. It is understood that their responses are limited due to their roles and responsibilities. Unfortunately, Stephen Village’s ‘Good Neighbor’ policy doesn’t carry much weight any longer. The frustration that the issues our community has been facing have been ignored for so long has fueled us to take action.

We are asking the City of Kelowna Mayor and Council to petition Interior Health and BC Housing on behalf of this community. The goal is to change the operational model of Stephen Village from a wet to a dry facility. We believe that offering assisted housing to individuals who are making a commitment to ongoing recovery as part of their residency will have a positive impact on the safety of our community. A facility that supports recovery and where tenants can be evicted for using drugs. 

As taxpayers, it is important that our voices are heard. We are inviting you to play an active role in making a positive change for our community and are asking for your support to sign and share this petition for change.