Trail – Riverside Ave. Shelter – 2039 Riverside Ave.

Aerial shot of property with many lines drawn over it to map out plots and dimensions

Site layout subject to change.

BC Housing and the City of Trail are working together to build a 25-bed shelter at 2039 Riverside Avenue. This is a response to the urgent need to support people experiencing homelessness in Trail. 

This new shelter will replace the current shelter at 1456 Bay Avenue, which is not suitable for longer-term use. The Bay Avenue location will stay open only until the new shelter is ready.

Construction has now started at the site. We expect site work to last until late August 2024 and the shelter to open in early Fall 2024.

Development & Construction

BC Housing and the City of Trail have entered into a lease agreement for this site. The City of Trail approved a Temporary Use Permit for a 1-year term with the potential to extend for another 3 years.

Compared to the Bay Avenue shelter, this new facility will include more indoor communal space for programming, an outdoor common area and storage. Because it is a purpose-built site, we are also able to include more safety and security features for the benefit of the shelter guests as well as the surrounding community. These include:

  • maximizing views of parking areas, entrances, sidewalks and other public spaces
  • fenced properties and gates
  • fob entry
  • security cameras
  • lighting

Shelter Operations

BC Housing selected Trail Association for Community Living (TACL) through a fair and open process to manage this shelter and provide services to shelter guests.

TACL is an experienced shelter operator with the training, qualifications, and skills necessary to support shelter guests. BC Housing acknowledges the ongoing commitment to homelessness services TACL has demonstrated – there would be no shelter options in Trail without them.

A shelter is more than a place to stay; it’s a pathway toward stability and well-being. The shelter model will be different from the current shelter model at Bay Avenue – there will be no drop-in services provided at this new location. Supports and services will include:

  • On-site 24/7 staff support

  • 3 meals per day

  • Laundry and shower facilities

  • Storage for belongings

  • Goal planning and life skills training

  • Connection to health care, community services and social assistance

  • Referrals to support group

This shelter will be named La Nina. This name is a tribute to Nina – the daughter, sister and friend of the original family who played a crucial role in creating the first homeless shelter in Trail. The Bay Avenue shelter also carried this name, as did the original shelter in the United Church basement. It remains our hope that through this shelter, others will find the support they need to find stability and success on their housing journey – as Nina did. 

Community Engagement

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.

BC Housing, Trail Association for Community Living (TACL), the City of Trail, and Interior Health have worked together to create a comprehensive Community Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. This Community FAQ is meant to answer questions that neighbours and community members may have about the shelter project. Topics include shelter operations, safety and security, health care, city services and zoning.

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of people transitioning out of homelessness. We will continue to share updates and keep lines of communication open throughout this project. We will also share direct contact information for the shelter when it opens.

For questions about development and construction of the shelter, please contact BC Housing by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org. For questions about the shelter program, please contact Trail Association of Community Living by emailing contact@taclkootenays.com.


Site layout subject to change.

BC Housing and the City of Trail are working together to build a 25-bed shelter at 2039 Riverside Avenue. This is a response to the urgent need to support people experiencing homelessness in Trail. 

This new shelter will replace the current shelter at 1456 Bay Avenue, which is not suitable for longer-term use. The Bay Avenue location will stay open only until the new shelter is ready.

Construction has now started at the site. We expect site work to last until late August 2024 and the shelter to open in early Fall 2024.

Development & Construction

BC Housing and the City of Trail have entered into a lease agreement for this site. The City of Trail approved a Temporary Use Permit for a 1-year term with the potential to extend for another 3 years.

Compared to the Bay Avenue shelter, this new facility will include more indoor communal space for programming, an outdoor common area and storage. Because it is a purpose-built site, we are also able to include more safety and security features for the benefit of the shelter guests as well as the surrounding community. These include:

  • maximizing views of parking areas, entrances, sidewalks and other public spaces
  • fenced properties and gates
  • fob entry
  • security cameras
  • lighting

Shelter Operations

BC Housing selected Trail Association for Community Living (TACL) through a fair and open process to manage this shelter and provide services to shelter guests.

TACL is an experienced shelter operator with the training, qualifications, and skills necessary to support shelter guests. BC Housing acknowledges the ongoing commitment to homelessness services TACL has demonstrated – there would be no shelter options in Trail without them.

A shelter is more than a place to stay; it’s a pathway toward stability and well-being. The shelter model will be different from the current shelter model at Bay Avenue – there will be no drop-in services provided at this new location. Supports and services will include:

  • On-site 24/7 staff support

  • 3 meals per day

  • Laundry and shower facilities

  • Storage for belongings

  • Goal planning and life skills training

  • Connection to health care, community services and social assistance

  • Referrals to support group

This shelter will be named La Nina. This name is a tribute to Nina – the daughter, sister and friend of the original family who played a crucial role in creating the first homeless shelter in Trail. The Bay Avenue shelter also carried this name, as did the original shelter in the United Church basement. It remains our hope that through this shelter, others will find the support they need to find stability and success on their housing journey – as Nina did. 

Community Engagement

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.

BC Housing, Trail Association for Community Living (TACL), the City of Trail, and Interior Health have worked together to create a comprehensive Community Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. This Community FAQ is meant to answer questions that neighbours and community members may have about the shelter project. Topics include shelter operations, safety and security, health care, city services and zoning.

A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of people transitioning out of homelessness. We will continue to share updates and keep lines of communication open throughout this project. We will also share direct contact information for the shelter when it opens.

For questions about development and construction of the shelter, please contact BC Housing by emailing communityrelations@bchousing.org. For questions about the shelter program, please contact Trail Association of Community Living by emailing contact@taclkootenays.com.


Page last updated: 23 May 2024, 09:00 AM