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By Corey Fischer
Vernon Getting More Shelter Beds

Vernon Getting More Shelter Beds

Oct 22, 2018 | 3:18 PM

More short term shelter beds will be opening in Vernon next month.

BC Housing says about 40 short-term beds will be offered at 2804 – 33rd St., next to the Gateway Shelter in November.

Turning Points Collaborative, operator of the Gateway shelter, will manage the new project called Compass, providing residents with 24/7 support.

“People wanting to stay at Compass will go through a thorough assessment process. They will have access to on-site supports, including life-skills training and employment assistance, in addition to connection and referral to community services and support groups to help them achieve and maintain housing stability,” says Kelly Fehr from Turning Points.

Fehr says the project will go into the former Enlighten Hair Salon building, just north of Gateway.

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The beds at Compass are an interim measure until spring 2019, when a new 52-unit permanent supportive housing project, announced by the province in November 2017, is expected to open at 3500 – 27th Ave. and 2600 – 35th St.

Construction is also nearing completion for 46 new shelter beds at 2307 – 43rd St by the Howard House.

This project is expected to open in December 2018.

153 people in the City of Vernon self-identified as homeless in a survey done in October 2017.

The community’s Gateway shelter has been operating over capacity all year and cannot increase services.

 

by Corey Fischer

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