Image Credit: File Photo (CFJC Today)

By Ashley Legassic

OUT OF THE COLD

Out of the Cold will not be opening in Kamloops this winter

Jan 14, 2020 | 1:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the first time in more than a decade, the Out of the Cold temporary shelter will not be opening in Kamloops this winter.

In a news release, executive director Lena Cimmarrusti says despite the best efforts of the Out of the Cold board of directors, the Canadian Mental Health Association and the City of Kamloops, the volunteer-run temporary shelter will be unable to open this season.

The news comes as much of the region and province is in the grip of a cold snap.

“We have been in search of a new location for the last seven months,” said Cimmarrusti in the release. “It is challenging to find a location that is safe, suitable, and zoned for this type of facility.”

For more than 10 years, Out of the Cold has operated a temporary overnight shelter program one or two nights a week out of St Paul’s Cathedral downtown.

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The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Kamloops branch had been considering offering its clubhouse building on Seymour Street as a possible location, but it’s since been determined that it’s not “a viable option.”

“As a shelter and housing provider, we share a common goal with other agencies in providing services for people experiencing homelessness. While our clubhouse is safe and meets its current use providing psychosocial rehab programming to our community, we are exploring other ways to support the need for a warming centre in Kamloops. With the recent adverse weather conditions, we have done what we can to safely increase capacity at the Emerald Centre and The Branch to temporarily accommodate need. Together with other stakeholders, we won’t turn anyone away,” said Alfred Achoba, Acting Operations Leader at CMHA-Kamloops in the release.

City of Kamloops social and community development supervisor Natalie Serl says:

“The City regularly works with service providers to facilitate solutions to meet the community’s housing needs across the entire affordable housing continuum, including emergency shelters… We appreciate the efforts of all of our community partners and recognize the challenges they face to meet the needs of our most vulnerable population.”

Overnight shelters are available at Emerald Centre and the Mustard Seed and warming centres are available at the Mustard Seed, Spero House and Crossroads Inn.