Housing and Municipal Affairs
Summary
- To meet community needs, 40 shelter spaces are opening in the Columbia Precinct at 1055 Glenfair Dr. in Kamloops for seniors and older adults
- Construction will be underway in October 2026 on 20 complex-care housing units at 1102 Glenfair Dr. in Kamloops
- Both projects are part of the redevelopment of the Kamloops Columbia Precinct area
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A new shelter in the Columbia Precinct at 1055 Glenfair Dr. in Kamloops will provide 40 spaces with supports, with priority given to local seniors and older adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“We are committed to addressing the urgent need for safe indoor shelter spaces for people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops and the surrounding area,” said Christine Boyle, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These spaces will help people move indoors and get connected with services that will help them build stability in their lives. We will continue to work on housing solutions with our partners and local governments so that we can build stronger, safer communities.”
Solace Shelter’s modular construction provides sleeping spaces for 40 people and includes indoor and outdoor amenities for shelter guests. Shared spaces include washroom and shower facilities, a communal kitchen and dining area, laundry facilities and outdoor amenities. The shelter is open 24/7 year-round and will be operated by The Mustard Seed, a non-profit organization.
Shelter design and supports for older guests
To support older adults, some of the sleeping units and washrooms are accessible. Access to individual units is wide enough to accommodate a walker and there is a ramp at the front entrance. In addition to supports generally offered at shelters, such as social services, physical and mental-health supports, life skills, wellness and engagement programs, The Mustard Seed’s staff will be on site 24/7 providing a trauma-informed approach to support guests with age-related health, mobility and sensory challenges.
The Mustard Seed will staff the shelter around the clock. People must register for a space, it is not a drop-in shelter.
“Everyone deserves a safe place to turn to, especially seniors,” said Danielle Herbison, director of shelters, The Mustard Seed. “We want every guest who comes through our doors to know they are valued, cared for and not alone. By working closely with housing organizations and social service agencies, we can help connect seniors to the resources they need to move toward stable housing and a brighter future.”
Construction begins soon on complex-care housing
Construction begins in October 2026 on 20 units of complex-care housing homes at 1102 Glenfair Dr. in Kamloops. Complex-care housing provides voluntary housing and support services for adults older than 19 who face or are at risk of homelessness and have complex health needs and/or chronic illness. Interior Health will provide health services to residents in on-site clinical spaces. The operator will provide additional support for residents and be a point of contact for neighbours. Selection for an experienced operator is underway.
The projects are part of B.C.’s plan to address homelessness in the province. Since 2017, the Province has more than 6,000 shelter spaces and 9,750 supportive housing units (excluding Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing) open or underway, including nearly 350 shelter spaces and more than 500 supportive housing units (excluding Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing) in Kamloops.
Quotes:
Diane Shendruk, vice-president, clinical operations, Interior Health —
“Complex-care housing is an important part of the continuum of care for people with complex physical-health, mental-health and substance-use needs. Bringing housing and health services together helps people build stability, improve their quality of life and access the supports they need in a safe environment.”
Kelly Hall, deputy mayor of Kamloops —
“We are pleased to see the progress being made in the Columbia Precinct, with both the new shelter and future complex-care housing project helping to create a more co-ordinated and compassionate system of care that supports some of our most vulnerable residents.”
Quick Facts:
- The Province, through BC Housing’s Homeless Action Plan Enhanced Fund, contributed nearly $10 million to Solace Shelter and will provide an annual operations funding of approximately $2 million.
- The Province, through BC Housing’s Complex Care Fund, contributed approximately $17.7 million to the complex-care housing.
- As part of its initial complex-care housing investments, Interior Health has complex-care housing services for as many as 19 people in Kamloops.
Learn More:
- To learn how B.C. is working to deliver more homes for people, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/homesforpeople
- A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available here: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC
- To learn how BC Housing is helping to build strong, inclusive communities, visit: https://www.bchousing.org/podcast
