Provincial investment in shelter beds to help people in the Okanagan get out of the cold

Nov 7, 2025 | 12:47 PM

The province is helping unhoused British Columbians get out of the cold this winter, including those living in the Okanagan.

Through B.C. Housing, the province is supporting a record high 6,486 shelter spaces in 58 communities throughout the winter.

Included in the investment is 355 spaces in Kelowna. Those involve 228 permanent, year-round spaces, 107 temporary beds, and 20 extreme-weather response spots.

Permanent year-round shelters:

Cornerstone Shelter, 425 Leon Avenue – 80 spaces
Richter Street Shelter, 1083 Richter Street – 48 spaces
Alexander Gardener Safe Centre, 2609 Richter Street – 20 spaces
AG Gordon, 1069 Gordon Drive – 20 spaces
Kelowna Gospel Mission, 251 Leon Avenue – 60 spaces

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Temporary Shelters:

Bay Avenue Shelter, 858 Ellis Street – 72 spaces
SS Kelowna, address redacted – 30 spaces
Emergency Youth Shelter, 1633 Richter Street – 5 Spaces

Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Shelters

Metro Central, 1262 St. Paul Street – 20 spaces

Permanent shelters are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whereas temporary shelters are open every night and can provide meals. EWR shelters are only open when an extreme weather alert has been issued.

The province said it was working with other communities across B.C. to find spaces for more shelter beds, and added it was also willing to reimburse communities that operate emergency warming centres.

People needing to get out of the cold can find their nearest shelter by visiting the B.C. Housing website.

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by Liam Verster

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