BC Housing will be hosting an open house about its plans for a new shelter in Salmon Arm.
The open house is scheduled to take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, at the First Community hall (First United Church) at 450 Okanagan Ave. SE. Following the open house, a moderated question and answer period will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Questions can also be submitted through a BC Housing webpage about the proposed shelter at letstalkhousingbc.ca.
BC Housing is looking to construct a modular, 25-bed shelter on city owned properties at 341 and 361 Fraser Ave. NW. A 10-year property lease has been proposed, and the shelter would be operated by Canadian Mental Health Association.
“This will be a year-round shelter with up to 25 beds, and will provide daily meals, supports and connections to services,” reads the BC Housing website. “The site may also have amenities such as a common area, gardening beds, and storage. We plan to use pre-built modular units to build the new shelter as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
BC Housing says CMHA will staff the shelter 24/7 and provide vital services to shelter guests, as well as security and property maintenance.
“CMHA is committed to being a good neighbour,” says BC Housing. “We will share more information with the community as operations are finalized and before the shelter opens.”
A rezoning application for the Fraser Avenue properties, required to accommodate the shelter, recently received first and second reading from Salmon Arm council and is expected to come to a public hearing at the evening session of the July 24 council meeting.
READ MORE: BC Housing looks to construct new shelter in Salmon Arm by winter 2023
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lachlan@saobserver.net
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