Shelter facing eviction given month’s reprieve

Inn From the Cold in Kelowna now has till end of October to find new home

A Kelowna homeless shelter has been given an extra month to find a new home.

The lease for Inn From the Cold, an emergency shelter housing 45 people, was due to expire Sept. 30.

Efforts to find a new location have come up empty, and on Monday the shelter was granted a one-month extension on its current lease.

“No new locations have surfaced despite tremendous support from the media in getting our message out about the need for new space,” said executive director Jan Schulz.

Landlords have been unwilling to rent their buildings to a homeless shelter, she said.

“We remain optimistic that new space will be found, but if not, Kelowna’s population of those living rough on the streets will spike by 25 per cent come Nov. 1,” said Schulz.

Inn From the Cold is looking for a 2500-square-foot warehouse facility with one large open room, preferably in an industrial area away from downtown.

A minimal kitchen facility is needed, and the shelter will augment on-site washroom facilities as necessary.

Ideally, it is looking for a oneyear lease with the opportunity to extend.

Anyone willing to consider renting space to Inn From the Cold, at least for the winter season, is asked to contact Schulz at jan@innfromthecoldkelowna.org.

Inn From the Cold is holding its annual Push to End Homelessness fundraiser this weekend.

Funds raised will go toward supporting a range of services Inn From the Cold provides to homeless and marginalized people in Kelowna.

The event is a race that has sponsored teams pushing shopping carts on a winding course through downtown.

It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Kerry Park.

“Regardless of our emergency shelter’s future . . . we will continue to support the homeless,” said Schulz.

Other services it offers include connecting homeless people with support services, in-home support for people adjusting to getting off the street to a new home and the Kelowna Kodiaks, which offers homeless and marginalized people an opportunity to participate in soccer.

For more information or to donate, go online to innfromthecoldkelowna.org.