Castlegar’s new permanent homeless shelter won’t open this year as previously expected.
City manager Chris Barlow told city council Monday that BC Housing “has experienced delays” and is now looking at an opening in the spring of 2027, which would be two years behind the original schedule.
However, Barlow said BC Housing also confirmed that the existing shelter will continue to be funded until the permanent one opens. “I think it’s good news that it’s going to continue to be funded,” said councillor Brian Bogle.
BC Housing said it could not tell us more about the delay due to the provincial election call. By policy, government ministries and agencies don’t speak to the media during the campaign period.
The new shelter, in a former mini-storage facility at 2245 6th Avenue, was announced in June 2024. At that time BC Housing said that it had purchased the property with a $2.34 million investment from the provincial government and would provide 20 year-round beds. It was expected that the shelter would open in early 2025.
However, final approval for the project didn’t come until February 2025, at which time the shelter was expected to open in December 2025. In February of this year, the shelter’s opening was pushed back to late 2026.
The existing 10-bed shelter operates in a former motel at 1660 Columbia Avenue. Castlegar Community Services operates the existing shelter and will also operate the new shelter.
