Federal funding decreases demand for shelter beds in Kamloops during pandemic
KAMLOOPS — When the city announced in April it would be reopening an extra shelter space for the homeless, it was expected to fill up fast.
Opening the former Branch on Royal Avenue was meant as a space for homeless people to better isolate during COVID-19. But that hasn’t been the case in Kamloops.
“I’m actually quite surprised because with many of our clients, when they get that extra money, they’re not so quick to spend it,” noted acting executive director of CMHA Kamloops Alfred Achoba. “They try to use as many services as they can, so I’m surprised there’s no huge uptick for shelter.”