Shelter shut down

The homeless shelter that BC Housing has been operating and paying for in the Desert Inn at 2350 vote Street in  Merritt is now permanently closed.

Opened as  a temporary measure for Covid-19. It became an ongoing resource to  the  community that was experiencing homelessness.

According to BC Housing and the Nicola Valley shelter and support society, as of August 30, 2024 is closed .The Desert inn was aging and becoming unsafe for shelter services. Due to this, a shelter capacity was continuously reduced and the shelter offered 36 spaces. At the time of closure, seven people remained at the desert inn.  All seven have been temporarily housed and been safely relocated in Merritt.

BC Housing  has leased  the Knights inn at 2702 Nicola avenue in Merritt. This will be purposeod as  a year-round shelter with up to 40 beds and they will operate the nights in shelter and provide services to guests. The building requires some renovations and they are currently expecting the shelter to open late 2024.

Homeless encampment.

The tents that have developed about the riverbank near the former shelter. Are to go.

We have it from a source and that the bylaw officer has asked them  to move and they expected to do this Wednesday, September 4th and  that there will be no more tents and camping by homeless people near the lawn bowling court or the Nicola River Bridge and  It’s ajoining Park .