Salmon Arm’s new long-term community shelter opens its doors this week.
The 25-bed facility, being called the Marshlands Shelter, opened Tuesday, Dec. 12 – a little under six months since BC Housing first shared its proposal at a development and planning services committee meeting to rezone city owned properties at 341 and 361 Fraser Ave. to accommodate a shelter.
The building, comprised of repurposed modular units, will be open year-round, 24/7, and provide daily meals and support services.
Operation of the building is overseen by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Shuswap Revelstoke.
On Monday, Dec. 11, CMHA executive director Dawn Dunlop and manager of supporting homefulness Glenda Cooper provided the Observer a brief tour of the facility, which was abuzz with people preparing the building for its opening.
Cooper began the tour explaining there is capacity at the facility to go up 3-4 beds in really cold weather. She also mentioned meals will be provided to guests three times a day, with meals prepared in the kitchen at Cedar Place – supportive housing also managed by CMHA. Guests can stay at the shelter as long as they need to.
“This isn’t housing, this is shelter,” stressed Dunlop. “It’s a fairly small shelter because that’s what we wanted for this community. We wanted to get people connected to services and how do we help you and support you getting into more permanent housing? This is more of getting you in from out of the cold and getting you connected to those services.”
The building is surrounded by chain link fencing with privacy slats. Intake begins at a secure gate, and continues at the secured entryway where guests are met by staff.
Guests can bring some of their belongings inside, while other items may be stored in designated storage units outside.
As of Monday, sleeping options for men and women (kept separate), included dorm-style rooms with multiple beds, as well as rooms with two beds each. A tote for storage of personal items is provided next to each bed. Cooper noted the beds currently at the shelter are temporary, on loan, until new beds arrive that will accommodate storage of totes beneath them. Curtains are also coming that will give people more privacy.
The facility includes three washrooms, each with a toilet, sink and shower; a laundry room that guests can use; a common/dining room; and a space where people can meet with service providers.
At the back of the building, there is a wellness circle, sheltered sitting space, two sea cans converted for use as storage and another converted into an outdoor smoking area.
“One thing we want to make sure is that we are supporting people exactly where they are at, so we’re a low-barrier space. So people are allowed to use drugs,” explained Cooper.
“So we have an indoor space and an outdoor use space. So people, if they are using drugs they need to smoke, they can come out here and there is a safe space outside as well.
“That way, it allows our team to have our eyes on folks and we can support them if they get in trouble.
“We know there’s a toxic drug supply and we want to keep people safe and alive.”
Dunlop noted CMHA has been working with other partners, in Salmon Arm and from other communities, whose input has been invaluable
Security cameras are located throughout the property, inside and out.
Last week, CMHA hosted a meet and greet with immediate neighbours where concerns around security were addressed.
“The reason we did a meet and greet with the neighbours is we understand safety is important,” said Dunlop. “What we heard from neighbours is they felt scared.
“So we wanted to acknowledge that, and what we wanted to say is we’re going to be here.
“Here’s a number to call, and don’t wait for things to get big.
“Reach out to us. We want to be good neighbours. We’re not asking people to be pleased that we’re in the community, but safety is important. Their safety, our safety, everyone’s safety is important.”
Cooper added the facility will always have two CMHA staff at the site who will work closely with a security company. “We feel we’ve got that well in hand,” said Cooper.
“We’ve got great partners with the RCMP and the fire department and bylaw. We definitely work really closely with the community.”
In a media release about the shelter opening, BC Housing said it will provide about $1.5 million in annual operating funding for the shelter. BC Housing’s lease with the city for use of the two properties is for 10 years, with an option to renew for another five years.
“Access to safe, low-barrier shelter for the unhoused is a vital component of a healthy community,” Mayor Alan Harrison said in a media release.
“Providing a warm, safe place to stay is the first step in helping people move forward.
“The City of Salmon Arm is grateful for the work of BC Housing and CMHA for helping to make that a reality.”
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