Two Kelowna homeless shelters set to close will stay open

Two homeless shelters in downtown Kelowna that were scheduled to close at the end of the month will stay open for now.

B.C. Housing announced today, March 23, that it has signed a one-year extension on the lease at 1083 Richter St. that has provided 50 beds since January 2021. It’s run by Turning Points Collaborative Society.

“As we slowly come out of the pandemic, we see the need for shelter services in Kelowna is greater than ever,” society executive director Randene Wejr said in a provincial government news release.

“The poisoned opioid crisis continues to plague us, and affordable housing stock is almost non-existent. Turning Points will continue to work on long-term solutions for housing while providing services and supports for anyone at risk of homelessness in our community."

An extension has also been signed for the 60-bed shelter at 550 Doyle Ave. run by Kelowna's Gospel Mission but that will only continue to be open until June 30. That will give B.C. Housing and the City of Kelowna three more months to find new spaces, the release says.

That site is the planned location for UBCO’s new downtown campus and two other highrise towers.

The shelter at the Unitarian Church that provided temporary winter spaces will close March 31 as planned.

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