Merritt – 2702 Nicola Avenue

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BC Housing has leased the Knights Inn at 2702 Nicola Avenue in Merritt. At this site, we have opened a year-round shelter with 40 beds. This shelter is a response to the urgent need to support people experiencing homelessness in Merritt.

This new shelter replaces the previous shelter at the Desert Inn (2350 Voght Street), which permanently closed in July 2024. The building was aging and becoming unsafe for shelter services.

Renovations at the Knights Inn shelter took place from September 2024 to January 2025. Improvements to the building included installing a fire alarm system, fencing and gates, security cameras and storage, and upgrading the electrical systems.

About the shelter

Shelters are an important first step for people who are transitioning out of homelessness. People without access to basic shelter must focus solely on survival. 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.

Shelter operations

Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society (NVSSS) will operate the shelter and provide services to guests. NVSSS has successfully operated shelters in Merritt since 2011, including the Desert Inn.

This shelter will be open 24/7, year-round. Services will include:

  • 24/7 staff onsite

  • meals

  • laundry

  • washroom and shower facilities

  • storage

There will also be safety and security features for the benefit of shelter guests as well as the surrounding community. These include:

  • controlled access
  • site fencing
  • security cameras

Community engagement

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of people transitioning out of homelessness. We commit to keeping lines of communication open throughout this project.

On August 30, 2024 we shared a letter to site neighbours and nearby businesses to introduce the shelter project. We also shared a Who to Call | When to Call sheet with key contact information.

On January 10, 2025, we shared a letter to site neighbours and nearby businesses to provide an update about the shelter opening. This neighbour letter included an invitation for a tour of the new shelter on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, before guests moved in.

BC Housing and Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society will answer neighbour questions and address any concerns quickly and collaboratively.

For questions about the shelter operations and programming, please contact Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society by emailing nvssssheltersw@outlook.com.

For general questions about the shelter project, please contact BC Housing by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org.


BC Housing has leased the Knights Inn at 2702 Nicola Avenue in Merritt. At this site, we have opened a year-round shelter with 40 beds. This shelter is a response to the urgent need to support people experiencing homelessness in Merritt.

This new shelter replaces the previous shelter at the Desert Inn (2350 Voght Street), which permanently closed in July 2024. The building was aging and becoming unsafe for shelter services.

Renovations at the Knights Inn shelter took place from September 2024 to January 2025. Improvements to the building included installing a fire alarm system, fencing and gates, security cameras and storage, and upgrading the electrical systems.

About the shelter

Shelters are an important first step for people who are transitioning out of homelessness. People without access to basic shelter must focus solely on survival. 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.

Shelter operations

Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society (NVSSS) will operate the shelter and provide services to guests. NVSSS has successfully operated shelters in Merritt since 2011, including the Desert Inn.

This shelter will be open 24/7, year-round. Services will include:

  • 24/7 staff onsite

  • meals

  • laundry

  • washroom and shower facilities

  • storage

There will also be safety and security features for the benefit of shelter guests as well as the surrounding community. These include:

  • controlled access
  • site fencing
  • security cameras

Community engagement

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of people transitioning out of homelessness. We commit to keeping lines of communication open throughout this project.

On August 30, 2024 we shared a letter to site neighbours and nearby businesses to introduce the shelter project. We also shared a Who to Call | When to Call sheet with key contact information.

On January 10, 2025, we shared a letter to site neighbours and nearby businesses to provide an update about the shelter opening. This neighbour letter included an invitation for a tour of the new shelter on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, before guests moved in.

BC Housing and Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society will answer neighbour questions and address any concerns quickly and collaboratively.

For questions about the shelter operations and programming, please contact Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society by emailing nvssssheltersw@outlook.com.

For general questions about the shelter project, please contact BC Housing by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org.

Page last updated: 15 Jan 2025, 02:41 PM