A new long-term shelter for unhoused individuals will open later this month, replacing the temporary Travelodge facility created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project director Nancy Reid says the shelter has been five years in the making.
It will operate 24/7 with on-site supports and partnerships with local organizations.
Five spaces will be reserved for overnight stays.
The rest will be for longer-term residents, who will have access to physical activities, arts programs, group and one-on-one supports, and help with housing and employment.
Daily intake for overnight rooms will start at 4 p.m., when staff will do safety checks and gather basic information before a full orientation.
“We want people to feel like they are part of our community here when they’re here,” Reid says.
The shelter aims to connect people with housing.
Anyone who turns down housing opportunities twice will no longer be eligible for a bed.
The new facility sits close to other community services, making referrals and coordinated care more convenient.
Public concerns have been raised about garbage, needles, and loitering.
Organizer’s say the shelter will respond with daily neighbourhood walkabouts involving staff and residents, and weekly conversations with RCMP, the school district, Interior Health, and other partners.
The shelter will employ about 25 people, including team leads, kitchen staff, janitorial workers, and management.
BC Housing is reportedly working on additional solutions for current Travelodge residents before the August 30 closure.
“This is a long time coming,” Reid says. “I’m excited to see it open and to create a sense of community here.”
For more information visit, Home | BC Housing.
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