Vernon’s new homeless shelter set to open

VERNON – A new $2.6-million homeless shelter is set to open in Vernon.

Our Place shelter will offer 46 beds within 12 rooms when it opens its doors within the next few days at its 2307 43 St. location.

"It's very humble digs, but it's a step up," City of Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming said.

Along with the 46 beds the shelter will also have 24/7 staffing and provide three meals a day to those staying there.

Unlike some shelters, Our Place will not make people leave during the day. The shelter also offers beds for people with disabilities and rooms for couples, as well as pet crates and a dog run outside. Those staying at the shelter will also have access to showers, laundry and secure storage for carts and bicycles.

The shelter will also provide access to life skills training, employment programs and counselling, as well as health and legal services.

Last October a count found 161 people in Vernon identified as homeless.

Cumming welcomed the shelter but said ideally the city needed around 100 shelter beds at the entry level.

B.C. Housing regional director Ann Howard said the shelter was a safe place for those in need of a bed.

The shelter will be run by the Turning Points Collaborative Society, with yearly running costs of $1.3-million.

The shelter's opening coincides with the closing of Howard House, a 24-bed shelter, situated next door.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.