The United Way and 100 Homes More Penticton announced today the Penticton and District Society for Community Living has acquired a temporary use permit to allow an emergency winter shelter at 352 Winnipeg Street.
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October 26, 2020 - 8:30 PM
A temporary use permit recently granted by Penticton city council will allow for additional emergency shelter beds in the city this winter.
City Council granted a temporary use permit to the former Victory Church property located at 352 Winnipeg Street to allow Penticton and District Society for Community Living to run an emergency winter shelter of up to 42 beds on the premises for up to six months.
The beds would only be used in the event the city’s other emergency shelter beds were full at Compass House.
Penticton has between 120 and 150 homeless at any one time, estimates say, including people in temporary shelters, living outside and those staying on people’s couches and floors.
More than 65 per cent of these people have been in Penticton for five years or more and can’t find suitable housing due to complex mental and substance use problems, 100 more Homes Penticton said in a press release issued today, Oct. 26.
"100 More Homes Penticton are pleased with the City’s response, United Way Community Impact and Poverty Reduction Manager Naomi Woodland said in a press release issued today, Oct. 26.
Speaking on behalf of the 100 More Homes Penticton steering committee, Woodland continued: “They are an important partner in helping to address homelessness in the community and we appreciate their compassionate response to our most vulnerable.”
The shelter will be providing additional support mechanisms in light of concerns raised by the public prior to council issuing the temporary use permit. Additional support is coming from community partners of the 100 More Homes Penticton steering committee along with financial support from B.C. Housing.
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