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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