A new supportive housing facility will replace the temporary homeless shelter at the Westbank United Church this fall.
Image Credit: GOOGLE STREET VIEW
July 14, 2021 - 3:25 PM
Vernon's Turning Points Collaborative Society will operate a new 38-unit supportive housing facility in West Kelowna that’s expected to open this fall.
It’s to replace the temporary shelter at the Westbank United Church, which was recently sold, but could be temporary itself.
"Since taking on the operations of the United Church shelter in May of this year, we recognize the immediate and urgent need for shelter in West Kelowna," Randene Wejr, executive director of Turning Points Society, said in a news release. "We are eager to continue providing safe and secure shelter for those experiencing homelessness in the community, while always looking to provide a continuum of care along the various stages of homelessness."
The new modular facility will be built at 2515 Bartley Rd. with private studio units. It will staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, provide meal services, showers, laundry, storage facilities, security and supports for residents want to access health and wellness services, the province said.
The City of West Kelowna has granted a three-year temporary use permit for the facility, which is near the gravel pit on Bartley Road.
The province is providing $783,000 for the building and up to $1.3 million a year in operating funds in a three-year contract with Turning Points.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2021