Unitarians help to make sure Kelowna has enough shelter beds this winter

The Unitarians of Kelowna have opened their building at 310 Bertram St. to add 25 overnight matts this winter to help house the homeless.

Another 16 beds are opening up in the renovated Cornerstone shelter on Leon Avenue and existing shelters on Richter Street and Doyle Avenue have added 10 beds each.

It's expected that, with the new spaces, there will be indoor sheltering spaces for everyone who needs it this winter, says a news release issued by the Journey Home Society today, Dec. 22.

“Kelowna Unitarians are excited about the opportunity to support our community in this way,” Kelowna Unitarians minister Danielle Webber, said in the news release. “Our first principle honours the worth and dignity of every human being and having the resources to share our space with unhoused community members allows us to bring life to this principle.”

READ MORE: Renovictions, Airbnb major drivers behind rising homeless numbers in Kelowna

The shelter will open in phases early in January, be run by Kelowna Gospel Mission and stay open until the end of March. It’s funded by B.C. Housing. Daily meals, storage, washroom and amenity spaces will be provided.

Once fully opened, there will be about 290 shelter beds available this winter, the news release says.

Metro Central, at 1262 St. Paul St., will continue to operate as a drop-in centre and will provide hygiene services.

“At any given time, the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community can ebb and flow, with more than 2,000 people experiencing homelessness in the course of a year,” Stephanie Gauthier, Journey Home’s executive director, said in the news release.

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