Genesis 2.0 rendering (image credit - CMHA Kamloops)

By Michael Reeve

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Genesis Place 2.0 to bring 48 new units of supportive housing to Kamloops North Shore

Sep 17, 2025 | 4:38 PM

KAMLOOPS — Construction is set to begin this week on Genesis Place 2.0.

Soon, a new four-storey building will rise at 654 Fortune Drive, as CMHA Kamloops expands Genesis Place with 48 new studio units, along with multiple common areas and even medical spaces.

“Trust me, those units — we have names on them, we have people who are waiting to get into housing and it just speaks to the need for more housing in our community,” said Alfred Achoba, Executive Director of CMHA Kamloops. “So we are excited to be able to fill those beds and move people into housing.”

Genesis 2.0 will bring the total number of units at the former Fortune Motel to 76.

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“Lots of activities going on around life skills and psychosocial rehab,” added Achoba. “That was built into the original model of Genesis, but when we lost that building, we lost the opportunity. With this part of the ground floor, in fact half of the building is tailored to that psychosocial programming.”

Online criticism of the build was swift, but Achoba stated those surrounding the project have had positive feedback.

“When people see those announcements, I’m sure there was panic. We were able to engage with many neighbours about the project, and like I said, the feedback was great. We didn’t hear any complaints from anyone,” stated Achoba. “But we also want to be able to have those conversations with neighbours when our projects are going. And so we are looking forward to those dialogues. We are looking forward to telling the stories of our programs through the successes and through the clients.”

CMHA does work throughout the continuum of housing from shelters to low barrier, supportive and seniors housing, with Genesis filling a portion of the need for supportive units in Kamloops.

“We look at each person across the continuum and we are able to better support them. If you are struggling in one area, we have all the tools in the other programs to help you,” said Achoba. “With supportive housing, too, when individuals aren’t successful, we don’t just abandon them. We are able to move them back within this continuum to get them more support so that by the time they are ready, we are seeing more great success stories.”

Construction is scheduled to begin this week, with the building opening to new residents in 2027.