(JOHN MCDONALD / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - The province and the City of Kamloops are adding more services to help address homelessness in the community.

Construction is starting on 55 temporary homes in the city, according to a media release issued by the provincial government. Homeless people in Kamloops are expected to have access to new supportive housing to meet their immediate needs. This is in addition to the housing units being built this summer for Indigenous youth and elders, as well as the 52 housing units for low-to-moderate income singles and families approved this spring.

The province and the City are teaming up to build the temporary supportive homes at 817 Mission Flats Rd.

The national Point-in-Time Homeless count in Kamloops earlier this year found 201 people experiencing homelessness. Due to the need for more shelter and supportive housing, the province is starting construction now to help people get access to housing before the cold weather arrives.

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

The building will be operated by ASK Wellness, which will be on site providing around-the-clock support services to tenants 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Each studio suite will include a private bathroom and 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. Those are 52 new supportive housing units in the 200 block of Victoria Street, and 62 supportive housing units in the 300 block of Tranquille Road.

Learn More:

Go to the Building BC: Rapid Response to Homelessness program.

Read Homes for B.C., government's 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians.

Click to find out how the province is planning to improve housing affordability.

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