Penticton, B.C. eyed as the latest city to construct a tiny home village
Why It Matters
Understanding what works and what doesn’t is crucial for using resources effectively. Exploring solutions like tiny homes helps ensure investments are made in areas that will make the most impact.
Tiny homes have increasingly been used across Canada as a short-term solution to homelessness that offers safety and stability for vulnerable people.
Typically, these temporary shelters have been constructed in large cities, but that’s beginning to change.
The B.C. government recently announced funding to build a tiny home village in Penticton, a community of about 35,000 in the heart of the Okanagan.
Penticton’s city councillors will consider approving the tiny home village on Nov. 4. While not as expensive as nearby Kelowna, B.C., the Okanagan city does have a higher cost of living than most Canadian cities.
As Penticton’s city councillors consider the tiny home village next week, it’s a reminder that even smaller communities aren’t immune to the challenges of homelessness.
“We’re working on every front to help people leave encampments and find a safe place to stay where they can access the support they need,” said Christine Boyle, minister of housing and municipal affairs.
This year’s BC Housing Homeless Count found 194 people were homeless in Penticton, and 78 reported being unsheltered.
In 2021, the same report found 114 people in Penticton reported they were homeless.
Tiny home trend
There has been increased interest in leveraging tiny homes in communities to fill gaps in existing housing and shelter systems.
In Quebec, a village of shipping containers has been converted into temporary housing. In Winnipeg, a tiny home village was constructed near the site of a homelessness encampment in 2023. In Toronto, mobile tiny home trailers are being constructed to help alleviate the overcrowding of city shelters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtA4xWVgwe4
But whether they’re a suitable replacement for shelters remains unknown, according to Terrilee Kelford, chair of the Rural Alliance to End Homelessness Canada.
“Certainly I think they’re all born out of concern and compassion from communities who are worried about getting people housed,” she said.
“But the question is long term, are they a sustainable model?”
Research by professors from Western University and the University of Toronto suggests there is little evidence to warrant the use of tiny homes.
“The literature remains under-developed with few empirical studies providing evidence for the effectiveness of tiny homes and sleeping cabins over other interventions,” reads the research.
“More empirical research is needed to warrant the use of tiny homes and sleeping cabins as a response to homelessness.”
Kelford believes one of the issues is that tiny homes are often seen as a temporary solution.
“There is a real passionate focus on building housing and tiny homes don’t seem to be falling into the long-term housing category right now,” said Kelford.
“We have this perception that houses should be big and if you’re forcing people into small housing you’re being prejudiced against people who are living in poverty and so that’s been a bit of a nuanced conversation,” she explained.
But in New Brunswick, 12 Neighbours is showing how tiny homes can be a permanent solution.
The non-profit has 97 tiny homes as permanent housing.
“In some ways it’s transitional, but we call it permanent because there’s no time limit on it and it can work for a long-term solution. We have a lot of tenants that say, ‘I’m not going anywhere’ and that’s great,’” said Joshua Lebrun, executive director of 12 Neighbours.
Tiny homes may often be a stepping stone, but Lebrun says 12 Neighbours’ philosophy is to view it as a sustainable model.
He noted the importance of building tiny home villages with wraparound supports to create sustainable communities that help people thrive.
“You judge how far along a society is by how the society treats its most vulnerable people,” said Lebrun.
“So if we treat our most vulnerable people with tiny homes that have full kitchens and bathrooms, then what a good starting point.”
According to the B.C. government, Penticton’s tiny home village will have wrap-around services.
If city councillors approve the plan this week, BC Housing will select an “experienced non-profit” to manage the tiny homes, providing daily meals, 24-7 staff support, mental health and addiction referrals and support, employment assistance and help accessing permanent housing.
The plans also include several security measures, such as a fully fenced perimeter, gated access and security cameras.
“This is about restoring safety and dignity, both for those sheltering outdoors and for the broader community,” said Julius Bloomfield, mayor of Penticton.
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