Castlegar's new permanent homeless shelter is scheduled to open by December according to Reidun Rosi, Castlegar Community Services' (CCS) executive director.
CCS has been awarded the contract to operate the 20-bed, BC Housing funded shelter at 2245 6th Ave. (across from the old Rona/Arrow Builders building).
Rosi shared the update with Castlegar City Council on May 5. She also clarified information regarding the shelter's overdose prevention services.
Those services will only be offered to registered shelter residents in a designated on-site space. They will not be available to other community members or people who may arrive at the shelter asking just for overdose prevention services.
Rosi said false information has been circulating in the community that the shelter would operate as a substance use rehabilitation facility.
The shelter also isn't to be thought of as a permanent home as guests must check in for a bed by 5 p.m. each day.
Admission involves an in-depth intake process for those who haven't already been accepted into the shelter.
Rosi said Intake workers assess the risk of accepting the client into the shelter and assess the needs of the individual such as substance use and mental health supports.
If someone that has already checked in for a bed fails to appear by 10 p.m., their will lose their bed and it will be given to someone else waiting for admission.
The shelter's funding includes a budget for a cook, enabling on-site food preparation. But Rosi says the allotted $20 per-person, per-day food funding is "really challenging."
Shelter management is looking at options for community involvement related to supplying baked goods or other food items but has not developed a policy or plan yet.
Shelter managers will be going door-to-door in the area around the new shelter in the next few weeks to answer questions from residents and business owners.
The current temporary shelter will remain open under a special funding arrangement until the new shelter opens.
