Temporary shelter spaces opening up in Kamloops, Okanagan

The B.C. government is opening additional shelter spaces for homeless people as colder weather begins to make its way into the province.

The province says in a press release issued today, Oct. 31, it is partnering with municipalities and non-profits to provide more than 1,400 temporary shelter spaces and 750 extreme weather response shelter spaces in approximately 65 communities in B.C.

The temporary shelter spaces will be open overnight and every night, many of which will be in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week, starting Nov. 1. Some locations will also provide meals.

The additional extreme weather response spaces will be available from Nov. 1, 2018 until March 31, 2019, opening when a community issues an extreme weather alert, the province says. No extreme weather response shelters are being funded by the province in the Thompson-Okanagan.

The following locations in the Thompson-Okanagan region will offer temporary shelter space throughout the winter season:

Kamloops

  • 185 Royal Ave. – 40 spaces

Kelowna

  • 1157 Sutherland Ave. – 35 spaces
  • 425 Leon Ave. – 80 spaces

Penticton

  • 1706 Main St. – 27 spaces
  • 2604 Skaha Lake Rd. – 20 spaces

Salmon Arm

  • 441 3rd St. – 16 spaces

Vernon

  • 2804 33rd St. – 40 spaces
  • 2800 33rd St. – 13 spaces

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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