First of three supportive housing complexes in Penticton open next week

PENTICTON – One of Penticton’s provincially-funded supportive housing developments will be opening its doors next week.

Sixteen units of housing will open for occupation next week at Compass Court, the site of the former Super 8 motel located at 1706 Main St., according to a provincial government media release. Residents will pay $375 per month, which is the shelter rate from income assistance.

Compass Court is the first of three supportive housing initiatives under construction in Penticton to be occupied. It will be operated by the Penticton and District Society for Community Living. There will be round the clock staff on site to support residents with services from daily meals to wellness checks and employment skills programming.

There will also be support staff to provide people with access to mental health and substance-use programming. The units are all self-contained with private bathrooms, a kitchen and a bed.

Compass Court will also become the home of the Compass House shelter, currently operated at 123 Nanaimo Ave., in mid June. Future development of the site will see an additional 26 units constructed.

Mayor John Vassilaki said he is pleased to see Compass Court open.

"Addressing the challenges surrounding safe housing for those in need is a priority that requires support from each level of government, along with various support agencies," Vassilaki said in the release.
"Council is pleased to see the first stage of the Compass Court project completed and this much-needed housing made available for those experiencing homelessness in our community."


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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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