The city of Trail has unveiled its new homeless shelter at 2039 Riverside Avenue, but Mayor Colleen Jones is stressing the need for more provincial support.
The La Nina Shelter offers 25 beds for unhoused community members and features shared dining, a lounge, washrooms, and will provide residents with daily meals.
The Province, through BC Housing, used modular workforce housing to expedite construction and ensure that people experiencing homelessness have a place to stay warm ahead of the winter season.
Trail Mayor Colleen Jones says that while the opening of La Nina is an important step, she is continuing to advocate for the development of supportive housing.
“What we really need right now is the supportive housing piece. We need the next step for these residents who are in the shelter right now, and if we could get that, it would be really good. It would ensure that everyone has a safe and stable place to call home.”
La Nina received a temporary permit for one year at the Riverside Ave location, which expires in September 2025. When it expires, BC Housing will apply for a three-year extension.
Occupants of La Nina are welcome to stay as long as they like and will have access to a variety of social services, such as life skills training, mental health and addictions support, counselling, and more.
However, when the shelter’s occupants are ready to move out, there are no supportive housing options available anywhere in the region.
Mayor Jones, who is currently at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver, says she plans to engage in conversations with BC Housing over the next week to advocate for the supportive housing piece.
“We’re advocating for their help with the extra cost of, for example, the infrastructure, or even acquiring the land—whatever they can do to help us. Are there grants that we’re missing? Is there something else we can reach for to provide this? So yeah, we’re working very closely with BC Housing as well.”
Jones said the city has identified potential options and locations for a supportive housing development but couldn’t provide more information until things have been formalized with BC Housing.
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