New shelter for Vernon

Vernon will be getting a permanent emergency shelter.

The provincial government is kicking in nearly $1 million for the purchase and renovation of a 25-bed shelter for men and women on 33rd Street.

The property is the former Chinese Freemason's building.

Okanagan-Vernon MLA, Tom Christensen, made the announcement Friday.

The province will also contribute $530,000 in ongoing annual operating funding.

The shelter will be operated by the John Howard Society, who will renovate the building to accommodate up to 10 men and 15 women.

The women's shelter beds will be operated through a partnership with the Vernon and District Women's Centre.

"With the purchase of a suitable building and annual operating funding in place, our community now has the capacity to provide emergency shelter and much needed services to people who are in desperate need, and as importantly, to connect them with other support services to held end the cycle of homelessness," says John Howard Society Executive Director, Barbara Levesque.

The facility will replace two government-funded temporary shelters.