People experiencing homelessness in Kamloops will soon have access to new supportive housing to meet their immediate housing needs, with construction starting on 55 temporary homes in the city.

The Province and the City of Kamloops are partnering to build the urgently needed temporary supportive homes at 777 - 817 Mission Flats Rd.

The National Point-in-Time Homeless Count, conducted in March 2018, found 201 people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops. Due to the need to provide more shelter and supportive housing, the Province is starting construction now, to ensure people in need have access to safe and secure housing before the cooler weather arrives.

The new homes are expected to be open by November, and will be in place until permanent housing options are available.

The building will be operated by ASK Wellness, an experienced non-profit, which will be on site 24/7 to provide around-the-clock support services to tenants.

Each of the studios will include a private bathroom. Residents will have access to meals, counselling and health services, as well as life and employment skills programming.

In addition to these 55 homes, the Province is working to provide permanent, supportive housing options to strengthen the overall response to the homelessness and housing challenges in Kamloops, including two projects that are expected to be open in winter 2019:

• 52 new units of supportive housing at 259 Victoria St.
• 62 new units of supportive housing at 317 Tranquille Rd.

The Province continues to work with the City of Kamloops to identify more opportunities to increase the supply of shelter, including supportive and affordable housing, in the region.

Learn More:

Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program: https://www.bchousing.org/partner-services/major-projects/rapid-response-homelessness

Read Homes for B.C., government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: http://bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges