The Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna has opened its fourth supportive residential building, Ellis Place, for people who are at risk or homeless.
The residents of the new three-story, 38-unit apartment building at 1055 Ellis Street will move into the first week of November.
Each accommodation has its own washroom and shower, kitchen, bedroom and living area. The building has a commercial kitchen, dining area, living area, storage room, equipment room, laundry room and medical room.
The project was accelerated through a partnership with the City of Kelowna and the Province to provide more housing to the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The city is committed to supporting the Journey Home strategy, which focuses on ending chronic and episodic homelessness, introducing measures to prevent homelessness and implementing a coordinated systems approach to tackling homelessness,” said Colin Basran, Mayor of the City of Kelowna.
“Homelessness is an evolving, dynamic crisis in our community, and these types of partnerships go a long way in creating solutions.”
CMHA Kelowna staff are on site 24/7 to provide residents with assistance such as meal programs, peer support, and health and wellness services.
The employees of CMHA Kelowna and Interior Health are eager to steer the joint initiative.
“We believe this unique partnership will be critical to residents and the community,” said Shelagh Turner, executive director of CMHA Kelowna.
“With the addition of Ellis Place to our other homes in the community, our organization now provides a place to call home for more than 200 people. And we also pair them with supports to help them stay housed and move their wellness journey forward. “
The opening of Ellis Place marks an important milestone in advancing the goal of the city’s Journey Home strategy of creating 300 units.
“We are proud of the role we play in the community’s collective commitment to ending homelessness.”
