More Than a Roof: Why On-Site Counselling Matters in Supportive Housing

At CMHA Kelowna, we understand that housing is a foundation for wellness—but not the whole picture. While a warm bed and a secure door are vital, they don’t erase trauma, restore trust, or repair mental health challenges built over years of adversity. That’s why counselling embedded directly in our Supportive Housing sites isn’t an added bonus—it’s an essential part of our model.

Mental illness and homelessness are deeply intertwined. National estimates suggest that up to 40% of individuals experiencing homelessness live with a mental illness. For many, the experience of losing housing is not just destabilizing—it’s deeply traumatic.

Yet accessing mental healthcare remains difficult due to a host of external barriers, such as: time, financial constraints, physical distance to services, and lack of accessible services, and internal barriers, such as: internalized stigma, unpleasant emotions, lack of understanding of service options, and fear of failure.

Kira Brunner, a Counselling Practicum Student with CMHA Kelowna, earning her Masters of Clinical Social Work from the University of British Columbia Okanagan, and Cassie Hager, a CMHA Kelowna Mental Health and Substance Use Clinician, completed a survey on the importance of on-site mental health counselling in Supportive Housing, interviewing residents and conducting analysis on the resulting feedback.

You can read the full survey analysis report here.

The Role of Counselling in Supportive Housing

Counselling in Supportive Housing is more than just a service; it is a lifeline for many residents. When the researcher asked our residents what difference on-site counselling made, the answer was resounding: it matters. It matters because it’s accessible, familiar, and delivered by professionals who take time to build trust with clients who may have been repeatedly failed by systems in the past. One resident shared, “Counselling is one of my favourite times. It’s when I feel like I’m being seen.”

But what happens when counselling isn’t provided directly in housing settings?

External & Internal Barriers to Accessing Counselling

When counselling isn’t provided on-site, residents face numerous external and internal barriers that can prevent them from accessing the mental health support they need.

Many residents reported that if they had to go off-site for counselling, they simply wouldn’t go. In fact, only one in four residents who currently use on-site counselling said they both knew where to access counselling in the community and felt willing to go. For others, off-site services are inaccessible—physically, financially, emotionally. They’re too far, too full, too clinical, or too unfamiliar.

Beyond logistics, residents also described the deeper, internal obstacles they face – whether or not counselling is integrated into housing. In fact, one of the main findings was that counselling in PSH sites largely eliminates external barriers. Therefore, clinicians are left working with clients to build trust to begin unpacking those internal barriers. Some shared fears of being judged or misunderstood, while others spoke of a deep-rooted belief that their problems were beyond help. One participant who had never accessed counselling told us, “It would be a waste of [the counsellor]'s time. I have unsolvable problems.”

This kind of internalized stigma—hopelessness, fear, shame—is common in individuals who’ve faced long-term homelessness, trauma, and isolation. But it can begin to shift when counselling is offered in a space that feels safe and accessible. Our residents aren’t just accessing therapy—they’re building relationships with professionals who treat them with respect, warmth, and compassion.

The Impact of On-Site Counselling

For those who do engage in counselling, the experience is often transformative. Many spoke about the value of having someone to listen, to help them work through their emotions, and to remind them that they’re not alone. Others said it gave them motivation, purpose, or simply a reason to reflect on their experiences with a trusted guide. “I feel like I am [the counsellor’s] equal… they allow me to go at my own pace,” one resident told us. That sense of dignity and mutual respect is at the heart of our approach.

The benefits go beyond emotional support. Counsellors also help residents with practical tasks like booking appointments, accessing healthcare, and navigating complex systems. Residents told us they appreciate the flexibility—being able to walk down the hall for a session or drop in when something comes up. Many said they wouldn’t feel comfortable in group settings, and valued the privacy and one-on-one focus.

Conclusion

Supportive Housing is about more than meeting basic needs. It’s about restoring people’s belief in themselves. At CMHA Kelowna, we’re proud to walk alongside our residents in that process, offering not just shelter—but the opportunity to work on long-term healing at their own pace.

If you’d like to learn more about our Supportive Housing services and the impact of counselling in our community, visit www.cmhakelowna.org.

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