Moira Place homeless shelter opens, provides 40 year-round beds

KAMLOOPS — As one shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Kamloops closes, another one opens.

Moira House, a 40-bed year-round shelter at 600 Kingston Ave., officially opened on Wednesday (April 6), one week after BC Housing’s lease for 245 St. Paul St. (the gymnasium of the former Stuart Wood School) expired on March 31.

In a news release issued Wednesday morning, BC Housing says each guest will have their own private space, along with daily warm meals, hygiene facilities, referral to health programming and around the clock staff. The Kamloops Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) will operate the new shelter.

(Chad Klassen/CFJC Today).

“Our community continues to benefit from inclusive services like those offered at Moira House,” Alfred Achoba, CMHA Kamloops executive director says. “Shelters build capacity and connect individuals to relevant resources, offering support toward safer and healthier lifestyles, and they are a conduit to strengthen relationships within Kamloops to break barriers and stigma.”

The land for Moira House has been leased from the City of Kamloops for three years with an option to extend for two additional years.

“This modular housing is a crucial step toward supporting our most vulnerable residents,” Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian says. “Moira House is a step forward in our community and these units will help as we address homelessness. Moira House offers a warm and safe place to live and, just as important, the supports one may need to begin rebuilding their future.”

Moira Place is one of three shelters that was announced back in November 2021 by the B.C. government and the City of Kamloops. One of the other shelters, Merit Place at 725 Notre Dame Dr. (the former Greyhound bus depot), remains open.