New temporary shelter coming to Kelowna

People experiencing homelessness will have additional shelter spaces to access in Kelowna.

Kelowna Gospel Mission (KGM) has partnered with the City of Kelowna and the provincial government, through B.C. Housing, to lease a new site at 858 Ellis St.

The shelter will have approximately 60 individual sleeping pods to provide guests with privacy, as well as shared washrooms, storage space and other amenities.

The building is currently being renovated and is expected to open this September.

The new facility will replace the temporary shelter at 550 Doyle Ave, which is closing because the property is scheduled for redevelopment.

KGM will operate the new shelter, which will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide guests with meal services, laundry, security, and support accessing health and wellness services.

KGM will also continue to operate the Doyle Ave. shelter until it closes.

B.C. Housing is investing $500,000 to renovate the new shelter and will provide approximately $2.1-million annually for operating funding. The province is also providing a one-time startup grant of $25,000 for this project.

The March 2020 point-in-time homeless count identified at least 297 people experiencing homelessness in Kelowna.

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