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Trail – Riverside Ave. Shelter – 2039 Riverside Ave.

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BC Housing and the City of Trail have built 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 replaces the previous shelter at 1456 Bay Avenue, which is not suitable for longer-term use. The Bay Avenue shelter location has now colosed as the new shelter is open.

Construction at 2039 Riverside Avenue is complete, and guests were welcomed in mid-September 2024.

About the project

BC Housing and the City of Trail have entered into a lease agreement for this site. The City of Trail has 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 building offers more indoor communal space for programming, an outdoor common area, and storage. Because this shelter is purpose-built, it also offers 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 is different from the previous 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 groups

This shelter is named La Nina. It 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. With access to basic necessities such as a warm bed, washrooms and meals, people 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. BC Housing and TACL are committed to being good neighbours. We will answer questions and address any concerns quickly and collaboratively.

On August 28, 2024, we mailed key contact information to site neighbours. This Who to Call | When to Call sheet is also available here for download. This neighbour letter included an invitation for a self-guided tour of the new shelter on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, before guests moved in.

For general questions about the project, 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.



BC Housing and the City of Trail have built 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 replaces the previous shelter at 1456 Bay Avenue, which is not suitable for longer-term use. The Bay Avenue shelter location has now colosed as the new shelter is open.

Construction at 2039 Riverside Avenue is complete, and guests were welcomed in mid-September 2024.

About the project

BC Housing and the City of Trail have entered into a lease agreement for this site. The City of Trail has 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 building offers more indoor communal space for programming, an outdoor common area, and storage. Because this shelter is purpose-built, it also offers 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 is different from the previous 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 groups

This shelter is named La Nina. It 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. With access to basic necessities such as a warm bed, washrooms and meals, people 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. BC Housing and TACL are committed to being good neighbours. We will answer questions and address any concerns quickly and collaboratively.

On August 28, 2024, we mailed key contact information to site neighbours. This Who to Call | When to Call sheet is also available here for download. This neighbour letter included an invitation for a self-guided tour of the new shelter on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, before guests moved in.

For general questions about the project, 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: 16 Sep 2024, 04:23 PM