KELOWNA – The Province is working with the City of Kelowna and community partners to continue Cornerstone shelter operations at 425 Leon Ave., to help people experiencing homelessness while permanent housing options are built.

The Province will allocate annual funding of approximately $2.4 million so the 80-bed shelter will remain open until another location is found or people are relocated and housed.

The shelter had been scheduled to close on June 30, 2019.

BC Housing continues to work with the city to build much-needed housing for those at risk or experiencing homelessness in the community. In addition to funding 160 permanent and temporary shelter spaces in Kelowna, the Province is working in partnership to build more than 185 homes with 24/7 support:

• 40 homes at Heath House (at 2639 Highway 97) - opened in January 2019
• 46 homes at Hearthstone (1642 Commerce Ave.) - opened in October 2018
• up to 51 homes at 2025 Agassiz Rd. - in development
• up to 50 homes at 280 McIntosh Rd. - in development

Learn More:

To see a map of permanent and temporary shelters in B.C., visit: http://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/homelessness-services/emergency-shelter-map
To find out what the Province is doing to improve housing affordability, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/bc-government-addressing-housing-affordability-challenges

Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Municipal Affairs
778 698-9176

Rajvir Rao
BC Housing
604 456-8917