The public has been invited to provide input on the future of Penticton's temporary winter shelter at an open forum on April 10.
One of the community partners for the shelter, 100 More Homes, is hosting the forum at the Penticton Seniors' Drop-In Centre on South Main Street. It will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
The shelter recently received additional funding to extend its operations through to the end of May, following city council giving approval to operate until 2026.
Long-term funding arrangements are being worked on by the shelter's operator, the Penticton + Area Overdose Prevention Society (P+OPS).
"Attendees are encouraged to ask questions, share concerns, and access support related to shelter operations," 100 More Homes wrote in their press release.
Representatives involved in the coordination of he shelter, including Bylaw Services, RCMP, the shelter operator, City of Penticton staff, the Penticton Industrial
Development Association (PIDA), the Penticton Chamber of Commerce, the Fire Department, and local nonprofit partners will all be in attendance.
"The partnerships between 100 More Homes, BC Housing, the City, Bylaw, the RCMP, Interior Health and P+OPS has been an example of how it can be done," said Tanya Behardien, 100 More Homes co-chair. "These neighbourhood forums are a chance to share some of the successes but also to hear how we can improve and build on the successes we’ve already had.”
The forum is the latest feedback collection event 100 More Homes has conducted, with three previous sessions having already collected information to design a more responsive shelter model.
The shelter was opened in November of 2024 and has so far supported at least 65 individuals, including 11 who transitioned to permanent housing.
“We want to put ourselves out of business. We want a community where everyone has a place to call home and a roof over their head and access to recovery and wellbeing" says Desiree Surowski, executive director of P+OPS. "We’re not there yet but the last five months have given me a lot of hope. I’ve got to see people find homes, find that light in themselves again and that inspires us to do even better. I really want to hear from neighbours and business owners, we want to make the community a safer place for everyone and so I’d encourage everyone to come out and provide us feedback on how to improve.”
The shelter is currently occupied and has a maximum capacity of 40 beds.
The forum is fully open to the public with no fee to attend.
