Kirk, a 52-year-old former roofer who has been homeless for more than five years due to drug use, spends his mornings picking up empties at the downtown Kelowna bottle depot. Despite the dirty and challenging nature of his job, Kirk has been able to secure a spot at Step Place, a tiny home community in Kelowna’s north end. He describes feeling more comfortable and safe with a roof over his head, as well as having access to washroom facilities, a communal kitchen, and social services. Living in a tiny home has also helped Kirk reduce his drug use, as he is slowly getting off fentanyl and using less than before.
Another resident of Step Place, Ryan Romaniuk, shares Kirk’s sentiment that the tiny homes provide a stepping stone to a better place in life. Romaniuk hopes that living in a tiny home will help him become re-established and eventually afford rent on his own. In addition to the 60 tiny homes at Step Place, 60 modular housing units near Highway 97 are close to completion, with plans for a third location to be announced by the City of Kelowna in the coming months. Kirk believes that there should be enough tiny homes for all homeless individuals in Kelowna, Westbank, Vernon, Kamloops, and beyond, and encourages anyone who has the opportunity to get into them to take advantage of it.
Kirk expresses his gratitude for being able to live in a tiny home and has high hopes that it will help him get back into the workforce and eventually secure more permanent housing. Despite the challenges he has faced in the past, Kirk remains optimistic about his future and believes that the support and stability provided by Step Place will lead to positive outcomes for him. By taking advantage of the resources and assistance available at the tiny home community, Kirk is working towards a brighter future for himself and is motivated to make the most of this opportunity to improve his circumstances.
Living in a tiny home has not only provided Kirk with a safe and secure place to call home but has also enabled him to focus on reducing his drug use and making positive changes in his life. By being a part of the Step Place community, Kirk has access to essential amenities and services that support his well-being and help him work towards his goals of re-entering the workforce and finding more permanent housing. The supportive environment of Step Place, along with Kirk’s determination and positive outlook, has set the stage for a hopeful and promising future for him as he continues on his journey towards stability and success.
