At a Glance: Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Building a Safe, Connected and Thriving West Kelowna Community safety is about more than emergency response or crime prevention. It is about creating the conditions that help everyone feel safe, healthy, connected, and able to thrive. The City of West Kelowna's Community Safety and Well-Being Plan provides a shared roadmap for strengthening our community over the next five years through collaboration, prevention, and coordinated action. It recognizes that many of the challenges affecting neighbourhoods today— including housing instability, mental health, substance use, social isolation, and affordability—are interconnected and cannot be solved by one organization alone. The Plan positions the City as a leader, convener, connector, advocate, and partner, working alongside residents, Westbank First Nation, community organizations, businesses, service providers, Interior Health, School District 23, BC Housing, the RCMP, and other partners to improve community well-being. Our Vision West Kelowna is a community where all residents feel safe, supported, and connected, and where systems work together to prevent crises before they occur. How the Plan Was Developed The Plan is grounded in evidence, community voices, and local partnerships. Development included: •
Research and review of local and regional data
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35 interviews with community leaders, businesses, Indigenous partners, and service providers
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Focus groups with youth, seniors, and people with lived and living experience
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Participation in existing collaborative tables and community partnerships
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Internal City staff workshops
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An online and paper community survey with more than 200 responses
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Community workshops to identify priorities and co-design solutions
What We Heard Community members consistently shared that safety is shaped by everyday conditions—not just emergency response. Six key themes emerged: •
Housing, Homelessness and Basic Needs: Housing affordability, hidden homelessness, food security, and access to basic services are foundational to community safety.
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Mental Health, Substance Use and Health Services: Residents want improved access to mental health supports, treatment, prevention, and coordinated health services closer to home.
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Safe Public Spaces: People want parks, neighbourhoods, commercial areas, and public spaces that are welcoming, accessible, well-maintained, and safe for everyone.