Cranbrook - 209 16th Ave N

Potential locations are determined based on services, amenities and availability of property. 

Housing for people experiencing homelessness needs to meet people where they are, providing connection to the resources that people need to work towards living a healthy, stable life. 

Access to community services is key for people without homes, but so is feeling part of a neighbourhood. 

This location is next door to numerous existing social services provided by Community Connections Society of Southeast BC (CCSS) including the Homeless Outreach program, which connects people experiencing homelessness to services in Cranbrook, and the Homelessness Prevention program, which engages with women leaving abuse, First Nations or Indigenous people, youth at risk or people leaving the health or corrections system. CCSS has been operating nearby since 2010.

ANKORS is also located next door and provides services such as a community drop-in space, harm reduction supplies and peer health navigators.

The safety of shelter guests, staff and the surrounding community is a priority. The most important security feature is staff. This site would have a minimum of 2 experienced staff members on hand 24 hours a day. During the day, a full-time-manager, janitorial, food service and other staff, depending on services provided, would also be on-site. 

We would also install security cameras around the property and the site would have one point of access that would be monitored. 

If concerns or problems occur with specific individuals, the operators would work with the individual and the community on solutions.

BC Housing and CCSS are committed to being good neighbours in developing this new housing. Both staff and residents would be committed to keeping the property maintained with a daily clean-up, just as any other resident in the neighborhood. 

CCSS would move towards having an internal Overdose Prevention Space (OPS) within the shelter. This space would be integrated into shelter services and would provide onsite monitoring for shelter residents who use substance. We would distribute harm reduction supplies (such as sterile needles, filters, cleaning items, condoms, etc.) offer safe disposal options, and facilitate referrals to mental health and substance use services.  We would have Naloxone trained staff and supplies to administer Naloxone if needed. 

We would work with Interior Health and other service providers to train and equip staff to offer overdose prevention services to shelter residents. 

This would not be an overdose prevention or safe injection site for the general public.

We share and appreciate your support for this shelter in Cranbrook.

With no permanent shelter beds in Cranbrook, the community is facing an urgent need. The 2020 Point in Time count found 63 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness (up from 29 people in 2018). Almost half of these people have lived in Cranbrook for 10 years or more. There are others in the community who are living in unstable housing conditions. 

Please stay tuned for more updates on this proposal. Thank you.