Deliberative Dialogue Summary

BRIDGING RURAL HOMELESSNESS & WELL-BEING

Prepared by Jen Preston, BScN, RN, Selkirk College
Partial fulfillment of a Master of Science in Nursing, University of British Columbia, Okanagan

A Deliberative Dialogue Approach to
Addressing Homelessness in the West Kootenays
Introduction
This brief summarizes the collective insights, shared priorities, and actionable
recommendations that emerged from a Regional Deliberative Dialogue Addressing
Homelessness, held on April 29, 2025, as part of the West Kootenay Homelessness Response
Summit in Nelson, BC.
The dialogue was designed to promote inclusive, respectful, and solutions-focused
conversations among diverse regional partners. A total of 22 participants attended,
including people with lived and living experience of homelessness, housing advocates,
Population Health and Mental Health and Substance Use representatives from Interior
Health Authority, frontline outreach workers, Indigenous partners, municipal and provincial
government representatives, researchers, and students.
The dialogue was grounded in findings from the 2024 Community Perceptions on
Homelessness and Related Service Provision survey, providing a common starting point for
participants to reflect on community attitudes, service gaps, and systemic challenges. These
discussions were rooted in shared values of compassion, equity, collaboration and
community well-being.
This summary is intended to inform regional decision-making by highlighting key themes
that emerged across roles and communities, and by presenting four practical
recommendations for collective action. This dialogue reflects an ongoing commitment to
relationship-building and collaborative approaches that are urgently needed to address
homelessness in rural regions such as the West Kootenays.

Why This Dialogue Matters
The West Kootenays face distinct challenges related to homelessness, including geographic
dispersion, limited access to services, and housing and service shortages. At the same time,
the region is rich in community leadership, collaboration, and innovation. This deliberative
dialogue offered a valuable opportunity for cross-sector partners to engage with one
another around data-informed local realities. The resulting recommendations reflect both
urgent frontline priorities and shared aspirations for long-term, culturally competent, and
sustainable responses to homelessness.

Key Insights
1. The Importance of Relationships
Trusting relationships are foundational to meaningful support for people experiencing homelessness.
Participants emphasized that person-centered, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental approaches help
build connection and improve outcomes. Relationships between service providers, decision-makers, and
across sectors are equally vital. Trust, continuity, and time are key to both frontline care and systemlevel collaboration. Investing in relationships enhances mutual accountability, strengthens coordination,
continuity and promotes well-being.

2. Challenging Stigma and Engaging Community
While survey findings revealed broad community support for services addressing homelessness,
approximately 15–20% of respondents expressed stigmatizing or discriminatory views. This number felt
understated to frontline workers, who regularly encounter hostility and stigma toward both unhoused
individuals and service providers.
Participants highlighted the need for sustained public education and community dialogue. Strategies to
address stigma included storytelling, creative outreach, and targeted information campaigns in social
media, farmers markets and community events. A recurring theme was the need to work with—not
against—community members who may be hesitant or opposed. Starting points included engaging local
Chambers of Commerce and influential businesses, facilitating non-adversarial conversations rooted in
shared values, and advocating for transparent, collaborative approaches to address concerns and
misconceptions.

3. Supporting Indigenous-Led Solutions
There was strong support for expanding Indigenous leadership and visibility in regional responses.
Participants emphasized the importance of cultural, spiritual, and community-rooted healing as integral
to housing and health services. Recommendations included increasing cultural competence across
systems, ensuring representation, and resourcing Indigenous-led initiatives grounded in selfdetermination.

4. Investing in Regional Capacity
Participants stressed the need for regional coordination to avoid duplication and improve access.
Framing the region as a whole, despite geographic dispersion, was seen as a key strategy to leverage the
population at large and advocate for increased provincial funding for the region.
Suggestions included expanding regional services such as detox, supportive housing, youth programs,
and Indigenous health services; improving transportation access; repurposing underused spaces; and
adapting temporary housing as community needs shift.
Selkirk College was identified as a key partner in developing the local workforce, particularly through
training and employing individuals with lived/living experience. Participants also called for greater
investment in youth education on homelessness, equity, and decolonization.

Delib era tive Dia log ue Summ a ry 2
Ju ne 20 25

Actionable Recommendations for Regional Decision-Makers
1. Strengthen Indigenous Led Responses
Support a full-time Aboriginal Community Liaison through the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society
(COINS) to enhance services for Indigenous Peoples experiencing homelessness, who are
disproportionately impacted in the region. Collaborate to mobilize existing human resources and secure
long-term funding to increase service coordination and cultural competence.i
i

Action in progress. In partnership with COINS, a policy brief has been prepared to share with the MLAs of
Kootenay Central and Kootenay Monashee, advocating for funding to increase the role of an Aboriginal
Community Liaison from 0.2 FTE to a full-time position in the West Kootenay region.

2. Promote Inclusive Community Culture
Develop a community-wide inclusion campaign grounded in lived experience and co-led by students,
local leaders, and grassroots organizations. Focus on sectors like health, education, and government
through accessible messaging, experiential training, and storytelling. Offer paid opportunities for people
with lived experience and create public resources to support learning.

3. Expand Education and Workforce Development
Promote subsidized programs at Selkirk College to build a skilled local workforce. Strengthen outreach
through collaboration with Career Development Services (CDS), WorkBC, and other community
organizations. Prioritize opportunities for people with lived experience and community members to
engage meaningfully in service delivery.

4. Engage Many Voices and Leverage Influence
Host inclusive conversations with residents, businesses, and organizations holding varied perspectives.
Focus on shared goals like inclusion, safety, belonging, and well-being. Partner across sectors—including
service providers, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous leadership—to reduce polarization and
support sustainable housing solutions.

Next Steps & Invitation for Collaboration
This summary consists of the collective knowledge, lived experiences, and shared priorities of diverse
regional partners. As we move forward, you are invited to:
•
•
•

Share this summary, as relevant, to encourage action
Champion these recommendations within your networks
Continue strengthening relationships across sectors, communities, and lived experience to
deepen our collective impact

With continued collaboration, we can work together toward safe, inclusive, and equitable responses to
homelessness in the West Kootenay region.

Delib era tive Dia log ue Summ a ry 3
Ju ne 20 25