WEST KELOWNA - The Province, through BC Housing, has partnered with the City of West Kelowna and Turning Points Collaborative Society to lease the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank's West Kelowna facility for use as a temporary bridge shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Located at 2545 Churchill Rd., the food bank will provide temporary shelter for guests currently staying at the West Kelowna United Church shelter, which is closing on Aug. 16, 2021, until the new community shelter at 2515 Bartley Rd. opens in fall 2021. Work is underway to create space for up to 16 beds at the Churchill Road building. The West Kelowna United Church shelter is closing due to a recent sale of the property.

Turning Points Collaborative Society will oversee day-to-day management of the bridge shelter. Guests will have access to a bed, showers, storage and meals, as well as support accessing health and wellness services. At least two society staff will be on site 24-7.

The Central Okanagan Food Bank's West Kelowna facility has relocated to 3711 Elliot Rd. and will continue providing services to the community without interruption.

Turning Points Collaborative Society will begin transitioning guests to the bridge shelter during the first two weeks of August. For more information about the temporary bridge shelter, including how to contact BC Housing, visit: https://letstalkhousingbc.ca/west-kelowna-churchill-road

Learn More:

To learn more about West Kelowna's new temporary shelter at 2515 Bartley Rd., visit: https://www.bchousing.org/news?newsId=1479157118570

To see a map of permanent and temporary shelters in B.C., visit: https://smap.bchousing.org

More information about Turning Points Collaborative Society can be found here: http://turningpoints.ngo

A map showing the location of all announced provincially funded housing projects in B.C. is available online: https://www.bchousing.org/homes-for-BC

To learn about the steps the Province is taking to tackle the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://workingforyou.gov.bc.ca/

Contacts:

Ministry of Attorney General and Responsible for Housing
Media Relations
778 678-1572

BC Housing
Media Relations
media@bchousing.org