Warming bus new stop-gap measure to help homeless during Kelowna cold snap

A 24-passenger bus will be on duty tonight, Dec. 1, and through the weekend nights to provide a place to warm up for Kelowna’s homeless residents.

Temperatures are expected to drop to about -15 Celsius overnight and remain below freezing for the next few days. The bus will be in place at the city’s overnight camping space at Richter Street and the Okanagan Rail Trail through to Monday morning.

“Obviously, this warming bus program is not a solution to homelessness or shelter needs in Kelowna,” Stephanie Gauthier, Central Okanagan Journey Home Society executive director, said in a City of Kelowna news release.

“This is a short-term emergency response to bring people in from the cold. Investments in purpose-built shelters, supportive housing, affordable housing, and other long-term investments that address overall affordability are critical as we look toward a solution to homelessness.”

The bus is a pilot project funded by the city, Journey Home, B.C. Housing and others. Money is in place to use the bus for 20 nights, including during cold snaps later in the winter.

The B.C. Housing share of the funding was just approved yesterday, the city said.

There will be driver onboard through the night, along with the regular security staff at the camping location.

It will be parked from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

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