Castlegar’s new permanent homeless shelter at 2245 6th Avenue is on track to open by December.
City Council gave final approval for the project in February. BC Housing had originally expected it wouldn’t be operational until at least November, which would have left a seven-month gap in service after the City’s Out of the Cold temporary warming shelter usually closes at the end of March.
However, the city lobbied the province for a funding extension, which was granted, allowing the Out of the Cold shelter to continue operating through until November, at which point it will re-open as a temporary warming shelter, until the permanent shelter is complete.
On May 6, Reidun Rosi, Executive Director of the Castlegar and District Community Services Society (CDCCS), provided an update to council on the status of the new shelter, confirming construction has started and is slated to wrap up by November-December.
Rosi also took the opportunity to clarify some misinformation circulating in the community regarding the permanent shelter, particularly around its Overdose Prevention Services.
“I think it got out there into the community that our site’s going to be a substance use rehabilitation centre, that it would be a space for anybody in the community to come by and safely use substances. That’s inaccurate information.”
While the shelter will indeed offer Overdose Prevention Services, they will only be available to registered residents and will be confined to a specific area of the facility.
“It’s not like someone could just walk in and say, ‘I’m going to check in and then use.’ Only people who are checked in, registered, and have gone through the whole intake procedure and are staying the night will be permitted to use onsite,” explained Rosi.
Substance use is not permitted at the 1660 Columbia Ave temporary shelter, which Rosi notes has created challenges throughout the community.
“That presents a host of issues for the community and for the shelter itself because substance use is still happening. It’s happening offsite in the community.”
Rosi says the shelter offers “housing first” approach to tackling mental health and addiction issues, noting that the idea is to provide shelter, basic needs, and then steps to recovery.
“The whole idea behind it is to bring people in, get them closer to the services, rather than saying, ‘you can’t be here when you use’ and hide it away. That pushes people away from the services and the supports they need when some people do overdose.”
The completed project will provide up to 20 shelter spaces for people experiencing homelessness, along with 24/7, year-round services, including meals, laundry, and washroom facilities.
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