Amalgamated shelter on 37th Street in Vernon. (File photo/Vernon Matters)

By Pete McIntyre

Working with BC Housing

Turning Points unveils new winter response housing program

Nov 16, 2021 | 3:13 PM

The normal winter mat program to help people get out of the cold in Vernon is being replaced with a new initiative.

Turning Points Collaborative Society (TPCS), which operates local shelters, is working with BC Housing to establish a new winter response interim housing program.

“This program will operate out of the currently vacant Our Place facility on 43rd Street. This space will provide 13 rooms for independent singles or couples ready to transition from shelter and will provide access to meals, showers and support services,” said a news release from the society.

TPCS said the program will help open more space at its temporary shelter and will focus on case planning and support for clients to move onto their own housing. It’s expected to operate from November 15, 2021 to March 31, 2022 with funding provided by BC Housing’s temporary winter shelter program

“We really wanted to focus on how we could offer more individual rooms with some supports instead of a winter response mat program that we have operated in the past,” said executive director Randene Wejr. “We have learned very clearly during the pandemic that many of the folks that use our services really are able to maintain more independent housing than living in a congregate shelter.”

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Also in Vernon, the existing amalgamated shelter on 37th Street will continue to operate through the winter with an 86 bed capacity to provide temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. In the case of an extreme weather event, Turning Points will put additional shelter measures in place to ensure people can come inside.

“We also operate a motel program, partially funded by BC Housing and a federal grant administered through the City of Vernon, which helps provide rooms and various support needs for independent people who are in immediate need of housing,” Wejr explained. “The City of Vernon has committed to 30 additional rooms over the winter for this program, which will help alleviate pressure at the shelter.”

The Vernon Entrenched People Against Discrimination (VEPAD) is doing a coat and blanket drive. Turning Points will collect donated items at the Cammy LaFleur clinic at 2800 33rd Street over the next couple of weeks, and VEPAD will make sure they are distributed to people most in need.

In West Kelowna, the society’s outreach team is working with the Westbank Salvation Army to provide winter gear, blankets, gloves, mittens, hand warmers, tents etc. to those experiencing homelessness. Donations for this can go directly to the Westbank Salvation Army location.

Also in West Kelowna, TPCS expects to open a temporary shelter on Bartley Road once construction is complete.

“This temporary shelter, funded by BC Housing, will increase our current capacity from the 16 spaces available at the previous Churchill Road site to up to 38 spaces in the new modular shelter on Bartley Road,” said Wejr.

And in Kelowna, the society’s temporary shelter on Richter Street will be adding 11 additional shelter spaces for the winter through BC Housing’s temporary winter shelter funding program.