The emergency shelter at Victory Church in downtown Penticton is set to close this week as preparations conclude to move its residents into a permanent location at Compass Court featuring 40 new shelter units.
“Based on conversations with BC Housing, Victory Church will be vacated and cleaned up by the end of the week,” said the City’s Director of Development Services, Blake Laven. “With regard to Compass Court, there remains elements of landscaping and various site works still to be completed, but the units themselves can now be occupied.”
Outstanding work at Compass Court will be undertaken over the next few weeks and will improve the exterior appearance of the property. In preparation for an increase in activity around Compass Court, along with a higher concentration of shelter services at this location, Bylaw Services and RCMP will adjust their patrols accordingly.
“Today’s news of the opening of new shelter services at Compass Centre and the closing of the Victory shelter is the result of a great deal of work from many partners at all levels,” said Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki. “I would like to thank everyone who played a role in ensuring that some of our city’s most vulnerable population is safely housed.”
“We’re pleased to be moving into our new location and are very appreciative of the investment support we’ve received from BC Housing,” said Penticton District Society for Community Living CEO, Tony Laing. “Our operations are ready to re commence at Compass Court. We’ll be working hard to effectively meet our outreach goals while ensuring our presence in the community is successfully incorporated.”