KAMLOOPS – In response to the number of people experiencing homelessness in the area, the Province is working with the City of Kamloops to open 55 temporary modular homes while construction continues on additional permanent supportive housing.

The Osbourne House temporary modular housing will be operated by ASK Wellness Society. The society will provide around-the-clock services including meal programs and life and employment skills training, as well as health and wellness supports for residents.

The new housing was constructed by local manufacturer Horizon North. Each home has its own bed and bathroom. All residents will have access to a common amenity area, which includes laundry facilities, a kitchen, and a dining area. Tenanting is expected to begin during the week of Nov. 12, 2018.

In addition to the 55 temporary homes at Osbourne House, the Province is working to provide permanent supportive housing options to strengthen the overall response to homelessness and housing challenges in Kamloops. Two housing projects expected to open in early 2019 include:

• 52 new units of supportive housing at 259 Victoria St.
• 62 new units of supportive housing at 317 Tranquille Rd.

Quick Facts:

• The City of Kamloops identified the land for the housing. The Province is providing capital funding of approximately $3.6 million for the project and an annual operating and support service subsidy.
• During the national 2018 Point-in-Time Counts of homelessness conducted in March, 201 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Kamloops.
• The housing at Mission Flats Road builds on the work government is doing to reduce poverty in British Columbia. In October 2018, the B.C. government introduced the Poverty Reduction Strategy Act. Informed by thousands of people who participated in a comprehensive public consultation, the act sets out targets and defines the scope of the poverty reduction strategy, which is scheduled to be released in early 2019.
• The housing at Victoria Street and Tranquille Road is part of the Building BC Rapid Response to Homelessness program, which is a provincewide investment of $291 million to build 2,000 supportive homes and more than $170 million over three years to provide 24/7 staffing and support services.
• Through this program, more than 2,000 new homes have been confirmed in 22 B.C. communities in less than a year.
• As part of Budget 2018, the Province launched the Supportive Housing Fund, which is an investment of $1.2 billion over 10 years to build 2,500 additional homes with 24/7 support to help people who are experiencing homelessness.

Learn More:

Read Homes for B.C., government’s 30-point plan to address housing affordability for British Columbians: https://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2018/homesbc/2018_Homes_For_BC.pdf

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

Learn more about B.C.’s commitment to reduce poverty for the people of B.C.: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcpovertyreduction

Contacts:

Lindsay Byers
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
250 952-0617

Rajvir Rao
BC Housing
604 456-8917