Local Community Advertising
It's an annual event in Kelowna in recent years that is expected, and yet still comes with a shock.
People who are using winter emergency shelters are left to find other options as the doors close at the end of March.
But after discussions involving the city, BC Housing and the operators, it's been decided that at least some of them should remain open.
Caitlin Mckenny operates the Richter Street shelter on behalf of Vernon-based Turning Points Collaborative Society.
"We don't know how long we are going to be staying open," said Mckenny, "but we have made that happen so we can go past (March 31) so people can stay indoors."
The closing date for Kelowna's Doyle Avenue shelter was also originally expected to close at the end of March. But operations there have been extended until at least the end of September.
The moves come amid concerns about the sheer number of people expected to make other arrangements at the same time with the closures at the end of March.
"There was some discussions behind the scenes and that's what the outcome was," said McKenny.
The Welcome Inn will be closed March 31 according to the original plan, so some of the people who have been relying on that shelter are expected to switch over to other facilities.
"We definitely hope so," said McKenny. "We have been working with them to bring some clients over."
Still, as the weather warms, some clients are expected to make the choice to be outside.
"For some people, yup," she said. "That is their choice."
Local Community Advertising