Photo: Inn from the Cold

Facilitators at Inn from the Cold are redoubling efforts to find a new space for the emergency shelter.

The shelter must be out of its current location on Sutherland Avenue by the end of September, and executive director Jan Schulz is concerned its population of 45 clients will join the city's homeless without a new space.

She calls the situation dire, saying attempts to "run down all leads," have been fruitless.

“Unless we find new space, however temporary, we will have to close our doors Sept. 30, and at that moment, the population of homeless people living rough on Kelowna’s streets will jump by almost 25 per cent,” says Schulz.

Staff will consider space in any location, including churches, halls, industrial units, buildings awaiting redevelopment – virtually any space where they can house some of Kelowna’s most vulnerable. 

Schulz believes the city's Journey Home strategy is the solution to the homeless crisis, but admits it won't come soon enough.

If you know of a possible space for the shelter, Schulz can be reached at [email protected].