Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

Temporary winter response shelter to open tonight on Leon Avenue

In response to Kelowna’s urgent need for housing solutions, the John Howard Society has secured funding from BC Housing and support from the City of Kelowna to operate Cornerstone, a new temporary winter response shelter.

The John Howard Society will be leasing the former A&B Sound property at 425 Leon Ave for Cornerstone.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>Cornerstone shelter Thursday morning, November 30th.

Executive Director Gaelene Askeland and Manager Andrea Sage say that the shelter is low-barrier, making it welcoming and safe for the community. Their goal is to see as many people off the streets and to save as many lives this winter as possible.

The John Howard Society and BC Housing say this is meant to be a temporary solution to an urgent situation in Kelowna.

Cornerstone will operate 24/7, and a minimum of three staff members are on the premises at all times, and a manager will be on call 24 hours a day.

The shelter is scheduled to open at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 30th, and will house up to 80 homeless or at risk people per night.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>Cornerstone shelter Thursday morning, November 30th.

Operated through March 2018, the shelter will provide support including three meals a day, laundry, assistance with housing searches, and access to community services.

People using the shelter will have a place to bring their belongings indoors, including pets, and they will not need to leave during the day.

The Society is also planning on working with outreach workers to let people on the street know that the shelter is available.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>Site of the Cornerstone shelter on Monday, November 27th.

Additionally, the John Howard Society will be operating at another location leased by BC Housing to provide modular housing for homeless and at-risk people.

BC Housing has applied for a development permit from the City for the vacant lot at 1642 Commerce St.

The project, when completed, will provide 55 homes. Preparation work is expected to begin as early as December, with a goal to open by early 2018.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>Site of the Cornerstone shelter on Monday, November 27th.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.



Weather
webcam icon

weather-icon
Fri
12℃

weather-icon
Sat
12℃

weather-icon
Sun
15℃

weather-icon
Mon
17℃

weather-icon
Tue
16℃

weather-icon
Wed
12℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy