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March 26, 2018 - 3:30 PM
KAMLOOPS - A new storage option for people living on the streets is coming to Kamloops next month.
The City of Kamloops has approved a mini-storage plan for the city's homeless population in partnership with the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Centre.
Last December, city staff presented a report to council on social supports needed in the community to support the homeless population. At the time, council supported the mini-storage program at 48 Victoria St.
The facility used to be home to the city's graffiti task force and storage for parking meters. Both have been moved to different locations.
According to a staff report going to tomorrow's city council meeting, March 27, the facility will be open for use in early April and will be operated by the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society.
The report states a storage facility for a homeless person can be a first step in the housing continuum and getting off the streets, by stabilizing their lives, restoring trust, building relationships, connecting with services, attending training and interviews and going to work.
"It is a simple, yet transformative service for people in need."
The facility will operate four hours per day, seven days per week, not including statutory holidays, with a minimum of two to three non-city staff working at all times.
Those who use the facility will have one point of access to the space where they will put their belongings into a storage bin, which will then be handed to staff to be stored in a secure storage room. Approximately 50 bins will be available and each one will hold only one person's belongings.
There's no cost for storing belongings, but participants will be required to check in every two to three days, either in person or over the phone. Food, firearms, drugs or hazardous materials cannot be stored at the facility.
Carts will also not be stored, but people can put their cart belongings into the bin.
"While this report is focused on the mini-storage initiative, the space at the facility provides an opportunity for other Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society staff and community partners to work together to coordinate supports for people at that location," the report states. "This part of the programming has not been completely developed, but it will be a priority in the coming months, once the mini-storage program is operational and based on participants’ feedback for services."
The federal government's homelessness partnering strategy program will fund the first year of the facility's operations.
The facility will allow people to store important documents, family photos and clothing. It can remove a layer of stress and allow individuals to attend a program, go to a medical appointment or apply for a job without risking losing everything they have.
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