Trail – Riverside Ave. Shelter – 2039 Riverside Ave.

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

Located between the Columbia River Skywalk and Old Bridge. Site layout subject to change.

Overview

BC Housing and the City of Trail are working together to build a 25-bed shelter at 2039 Riverside Drive to respond to an urgent need for people experiencing homelessness in Trail.

A new shelter is needed to replace the current shelter in Downtown Trail at 1456 Bay Avenue, which is not suitable for longer-term use. The Bay Avenue location will remain in operation only until the new shelter is built and ready for occupancy. We are aiming for the new shelter to be open by Winter 2023/24.

BC Housing’s goal continues to be safe, affordable, and quality housing. This new shelter site will reduce the impact of homelessness in Trail, but we recognize shelters are not a solution to homelessness. We will continue to work to increase affordable opportunities across the housing spectrum for everyone.

Community Engagement

BC Housing’s application to the City of Trail for a Temporary Use Permit was considered at a Public Hearing on August 21, 2023. Council voted unanimously to approve a 1-year Temporary Use Permit, with the potential to extend for another 3 year term.

Leading up to the Public Hearing, BC Housing and the City of Trail worked together to engage with the community and seek public input through multiple avenues:

  • Immediate neighbours of the proposed site were notified via letter, and in-person.
  • Key stakeholders of the community were identified and invited to provide comments or questions via email, as well as share information through their networks.
  • City of Trail posted ads through news outlets as well as social media channels.
  • BC Housing representatives held a series of in-person meetings in Trail to hear from invited stakeholders representing a diversity of perspectives.
  • Over 800 people visited this Let’s Talk page between Aug 3 – 21st to inform themselves
  • Approximately 60 written questions and comments were compiled by BC Housing and provided to the City of Trail for consideration before the Public Hearing, as well as the many written submissions provided directly to the City of Trail.
  • Over 50 people spoke at the Public Hearing, which was well-attended (full, overflow room)

The Summary of Community Feedback can be found here. The significant participation of the community is sincerely recognized and valued.

Development & Construction

This will be a year-round shelter with up to 25 beds, and will provide daily meals, supports, and connections to services. We will use pre-built modular units to build the new shelter as quickly and efficiently as possible.

At this stage, design and operations of the new shelter are not yet finalized, but typical amenities would include:

  • Daily meals
  • Case management and health care referrals
  • Laundry and shower facilities
  • Fully fenced perimeter with privacy screening and gated access
  • Security lighting and cameras
  • Indoor common area and outdoor space
  • Storage for belongings
  • On-site 24/7 staff support, including property maintenance

BC Housing will be selecting an operator to provide vital services to shelter guests, as well as property maintenance. BC Housing and the operator will be committed to being a good neighbour. We will share more information with the community as operations are finalized and before the shelter opens.

Next Steps

We want this shelter program to be successful for everyone, and we welcome you to reach out with your questions below or by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org

As we move forward with this construction, we will share more information, including information about shelter operations and who to contact, site management strategies, and housing needs in Trail.

Please continue to visit this page for updates as they become available.

Located between the Columbia River Skywalk and Old Bridge. Site layout subject to change.

Overview

BC Housing and the City of Trail are working together to build a 25-bed shelter at 2039 Riverside Drive to respond to an urgent need for people experiencing homelessness in Trail.

A new shelter is needed to replace the current shelter in Downtown Trail at 1456 Bay Avenue, which is not suitable for longer-term use. The Bay Avenue location will remain in operation only until the new shelter is built and ready for occupancy. We are aiming for the new shelter to be open by Winter 2023/24.

BC Housing’s goal continues to be safe, affordable, and quality housing. This new shelter site will reduce the impact of homelessness in Trail, but we recognize shelters are not a solution to homelessness. We will continue to work to increase affordable opportunities across the housing spectrum for everyone.

Community Engagement

BC Housing’s application to the City of Trail for a Temporary Use Permit was considered at a Public Hearing on August 21, 2023. Council voted unanimously to approve a 1-year Temporary Use Permit, with the potential to extend for another 3 year term.

Leading up to the Public Hearing, BC Housing and the City of Trail worked together to engage with the community and seek public input through multiple avenues:

  • Immediate neighbours of the proposed site were notified via letter, and in-person.
  • Key stakeholders of the community were identified and invited to provide comments or questions via email, as well as share information through their networks.
  • City of Trail posted ads through news outlets as well as social media channels.
  • BC Housing representatives held a series of in-person meetings in Trail to hear from invited stakeholders representing a diversity of perspectives.
  • Over 800 people visited this Let’s Talk page between Aug 3 – 21st to inform themselves
  • Approximately 60 written questions and comments were compiled by BC Housing and provided to the City of Trail for consideration before the Public Hearing, as well as the many written submissions provided directly to the City of Trail.
  • Over 50 people spoke at the Public Hearing, which was well-attended (full, overflow room)

The Summary of Community Feedback can be found here. The significant participation of the community is sincerely recognized and valued.

Development & Construction

This will be a year-round shelter with up to 25 beds, and will provide daily meals, supports, and connections to services. We will use pre-built modular units to build the new shelter as quickly and efficiently as possible.

At this stage, design and operations of the new shelter are not yet finalized, but typical amenities would include:

  • Daily meals
  • Case management and health care referrals
  • Laundry and shower facilities
  • Fully fenced perimeter with privacy screening and gated access
  • Security lighting and cameras
  • Indoor common area and outdoor space
  • Storage for belongings
  • On-site 24/7 staff support, including property maintenance

BC Housing will be selecting an operator to provide vital services to shelter guests, as well as property maintenance. BC Housing and the operator will be committed to being a good neighbour. We will share more information with the community as operations are finalized and before the shelter opens.

Next Steps

We want this shelter program to be successful for everyone, and we welcome you to reach out with your questions below or by email to: communityrelations@bchousing.org

As we move forward with this construction, we will share more information, including information about shelter operations and who to contact, site management strategies, and housing needs in Trail.

Please continue to visit this page for updates as they become available.

Page last updated: 14 Sep 2023, 03:17 PM