Kamloops - St. Paul Street

An illustration of a brick building with a sign that says "shelter."


BC Housing, the City of Kamloops and Out of the Cold Society Kamloops (OOTC) are working together to operate a 25-bed temporary shelter located at 245 St. Paul Street (the former Stuart Wood School). BC Housing originally leased this property in 2021. Our current lease is until April 2026.

At this site, OOTC also offers 10 Olive Branch beds for seniors in community experiencing homelessness. The additional beds for seniors will continue to operate 24 hours per day until September 30, 2025.

This shelter provides critically needed beds and supports for people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops while we work to bring more permanent shelter options and affordable housing into the community. The City of Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation support the continued use of the school building as a shelter.

The Need in Kamloops

A 2023 Point in Time Count Report identified at least 312 people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops. The actual number is likely higher, as the count does not include people who are in hospital, couch surfing or living in vehicles and may also need shelter. After a person can access a warm bed, washrooms and meals, they are in a much better position to improve their housing situation and well-being.

People staying in shelters can include seniors, people with disabilities, people who have experienced trauma or poverty, people with health concerns and anyone struggling with the high cost of housing. Guests are adults (19+) of all genders.

Shelter Details

At this shelter, guests access safe, warm, semi-private sleeping spaces and a range of support services, including:

  • On-site Support Staff, including outreach support from Tuesday to Friday
  • Daily Meals
  • Laundry and Shower Facilities
  • Storage for Belongings
  • Cultural Supports
  • Case Management and Health Care Referrals
  • On and Off-site Outreach Programs
  • Life Skill Development

OOTC operates the shelter 12 hours per day, 7 days per week for up to 25 people. Typical hours are 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Hours and capacity may change seasonally or in extreme weather conditions.

The Operator: Out of the Cold Society Kamloops

OOTC has been operating shelter services for over 18 years. OOTC is committed to being good neighbours and providing a safe and welcoming space for local people experiencing homelessness. Shelter staff and volunteers collaborate with other service providers to help shelter guests access things like mental health care, nursing care, referrals to detox and treatment centres, and housing supports. OOTC works to ensure the safety of shelter guests and neighbours by:

  • Daily clean up and maintenance within shelter grounds by staff and guests
  • Offering a peer employment program
  • Keeping lines of communication open with the community

Community Updates

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of shelter guests on their journey into stable housing. BC Housing will keep lines of communication open throughout this project.

  • On November 10, 2021, BC Housing mailed a letter to neighbours within a 600m radius of the site to share that we were planning to open a 25-bed emergency winter shelter at the former Stuart Wood School. This letter included an invitation to a virtual information session for interested community members.
  • On December 7, 2021, we hosted a virtual community information session where community members participated to learn more about this project, meet the project team, and bring forward questions around neighbourhood safety and operations of the shelter.
  • On December 9, 2022, OOTC delivered a letter to neighbours and Who to Call, When to Call which shared that the temporary winter shelter at the Stuart Wood School would be extended until March 31, 2023, due to the continued need for shelter in community.
  • On March 24, 2023, we delivered a letter to neighbours to share that due to the ongoing need for shelter, the operation of the emergency winter shelter will be extended throughout the summer to November 1, 2023, with potential for longer. This letter shared information about the shelter operations and invited neighbours to share feedback to help with successful community integration.
  • On October 15, 2024, OOTC delivered a letter to neighbours which shared updates on the ongoing efforts to support the unhoused community in Kamloops. This letter also provided an update that the shelter will be incorporating an additional 10 temporary shelter beds intended for seniors throughout the winter months.
  • On April 25, 2024, we delivered a letter to neighbours to notify them of a 1-year lease extension due to the continued need in community for shelter. This extension allows the shelter to operate until April 30, 2025.
  • On April 25, 2025, we delivered a letter to neighbours to share that we’ve extended our lease of the property until April 30, 2026. This letter also included an updated Who to Call / When to Call info sheet with direct contact information for the shelter as well as other municipal and emergency services.

For general questions about shelter program and the services offered, please contact OOTC by emailing ootcexecutivedirectorstein@gmail.com.

We also welcome questions at any time by email at communityrelations@bchousing.org.


BC Housing, the City of Kamloops and Out of the Cold Society Kamloops (OOTC) are working together to operate a 25-bed temporary shelter located at 245 St. Paul Street (the former Stuart Wood School). BC Housing originally leased this property in 2021. Our current lease is until April 2026.

At this site, OOTC also offers 10 Olive Branch beds for seniors in community experiencing homelessness. The additional beds for seniors will continue to operate 24 hours per day until September 30, 2025.

This shelter provides critically needed beds and supports for people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops while we work to bring more permanent shelter options and affordable housing into the community. The City of Kamloops and Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation support the continued use of the school building as a shelter.

The Need in Kamloops

A 2023 Point in Time Count Report identified at least 312 people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops. The actual number is likely higher, as the count does not include people who are in hospital, couch surfing or living in vehicles and may also need shelter. After a person can access a warm bed, washrooms and meals, they are in a much better position to improve their housing situation and well-being.

People staying in shelters can include seniors, people with disabilities, people who have experienced trauma or poverty, people with health concerns and anyone struggling with the high cost of housing. Guests are adults (19+) of all genders.

Shelter Details

At this shelter, guests access safe, warm, semi-private sleeping spaces and a range of support services, including:

  • On-site Support Staff, including outreach support from Tuesday to Friday
  • Daily Meals
  • Laundry and Shower Facilities
  • Storage for Belongings
  • Cultural Supports
  • Case Management and Health Care Referrals
  • On and Off-site Outreach Programs
  • Life Skill Development

OOTC operates the shelter 12 hours per day, 7 days per week for up to 25 people. Typical hours are 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Hours and capacity may change seasonally or in extreme weather conditions.

The Operator: Out of the Cold Society Kamloops

OOTC has been operating shelter services for over 18 years. OOTC is committed to being good neighbours and providing a safe and welcoming space for local people experiencing homelessness. Shelter staff and volunteers collaborate with other service providers to help shelter guests access things like mental health care, nursing care, referrals to detox and treatment centres, and housing supports. OOTC works to ensure the safety of shelter guests and neighbours by:

  • Daily clean up and maintenance within shelter grounds by staff and guests
  • Offering a peer employment program
  • Keeping lines of communication open with the community

Community Updates

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of shelter guests on their journey into stable housing. BC Housing will keep lines of communication open throughout this project.

  • On November 10, 2021, BC Housing mailed a letter to neighbours within a 600m radius of the site to share that we were planning to open a 25-bed emergency winter shelter at the former Stuart Wood School. This letter included an invitation to a virtual information session for interested community members.
  • On December 7, 2021, we hosted a virtual community information session where community members participated to learn more about this project, meet the project team, and bring forward questions around neighbourhood safety and operations of the shelter.
  • On December 9, 2022, OOTC delivered a letter to neighbours and Who to Call, When to Call which shared that the temporary winter shelter at the Stuart Wood School would be extended until March 31, 2023, due to the continued need for shelter in community.
  • On March 24, 2023, we delivered a letter to neighbours to share that due to the ongoing need for shelter, the operation of the emergency winter shelter will be extended throughout the summer to November 1, 2023, with potential for longer. This letter shared information about the shelter operations and invited neighbours to share feedback to help with successful community integration.
  • On October 15, 2024, OOTC delivered a letter to neighbours which shared updates on the ongoing efforts to support the unhoused community in Kamloops. This letter also provided an update that the shelter will be incorporating an additional 10 temporary shelter beds intended for seniors throughout the winter months.
  • On April 25, 2024, we delivered a letter to neighbours to notify them of a 1-year lease extension due to the continued need in community for shelter. This extension allows the shelter to operate until April 30, 2025.
  • On April 25, 2025, we delivered a letter to neighbours to share that we’ve extended our lease of the property until April 30, 2026. This letter also included an updated Who to Call / When to Call info sheet with direct contact information for the shelter as well as other municipal and emergency services.

For general questions about shelter program and the services offered, please contact OOTC by emailing ootcexecutivedirectorstein@gmail.com.

We also welcome questions at any time by email at communityrelations@bchousing.org.

Page last updated: 29 Apr 2025, 03:19 PM