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(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

The Interior Health Authority expects to see more winter shelters opening soon but challenges continue around identifying suitable sites as Thompson Okanagan non-profits say they’re fed up with temporary fixes.

Non-profit organizations running shelters in Kamloops and the Okanagan sent a letter to city councils, calling on municipal governments, B.C. Housing and the Interior Health Authority to step up amid an "unrealized promise" of year-round shelters and the downloading of health-care responsibilities on shelter operators.

"For the past several years, the response has been to set up winter mat shelter programs. Many operators have already been asked if we can step up again to run temporary winter shelter programs. This year, many of the operators in Vernon, Penticton, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Merritt and Kamloops are saying no more," an open letter signed by six non-profit groups reads.

They are decrying slow and ineffective action from government and are tired of taking the brunt of criticism for street-level crime.

“Although shelters are a necessary part of providing homelessness services, we agree that they are only a temporary solution for individuals experiencing homelessness,” according to a statement issued by the health authority.

“Kamloops continues to provide over 200 spaces for people in need at the Emerald Centre, Mustard Seed, Harbour House, Moira House, Merit Place, Yacht Club and Stuart Wood shelters. Outreach workers are also actively connecting with people sleeping outdoors to ensure they’re aware of drop-in services and resources, including warm clothes, access to meals and other community-based support services.”

After the Canadian Mental Health Association pulled out last minute, two Kamloops winter shelters were without operators until this week.

B.C. Housing is working with municipalities and partners, including Interior Health, to identify potential housing projects and the health authority expects more shelters to open in the coming weeks and months in communities across B.C., according to the health authority.

“We have funding available to open additional shelters in the Interior, however there are challenges in some communities around identifying suitable sites and securing shelter providers,” according to the statement.

"In Kamloops, nurses, social workers and life skills workers from our Long Term Support and Rehab, Assertive Community Treatment and Intensive Case Management are available to support identified clients and those in crises as needed with care co-ordination follow up and medication management in BC Housing sites or in temporary shelters," said Lisa Zetes-Zanatta, IH executive director of clinical operation, in the statement.

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission is currently operating its winter shelter at half capacity due to lack of staff.

Kamloops and Kelowna fire chiefs have also noted they’re responding to more blazes in temporary structures this season. Some of the fires led to injury.

READ MORE: More shelter spaces needed as Kamloops, Kelowna deal with homeless fires

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