The Kamloops Access Hub Leadership Group was created in 2023 to advocate for and support an expanded model of shelter services for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The group includes representation from the City of Kamloops, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, BC Housing, Interior Health, Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the business improvement associations, and shelter and social housing operators. 

The vision of an access hub is a 24/7 location where people who are unhoused can access shelter, meals, washroom and shower facilities, culturally safe social and health services, amenity space, and connections to housing, supportive employment, and wellness opportunities. These supports and services would be for registered shelter guests. The first priority of the Leadership Group is to help operationalize a location on the North Shore to fill an existing gap identified by service providers and people who are unhoused. 

Safety and security for clients, staff, and surrounding residents and businesses are fundamental to the access hub model. Reputable operators will maintain the site, patrol the surrounding area, and be accountable and available to address community concerns that arise.
 
The group is working together to identify the services and resources required to establish a model that is successful for the clients, operators, and community. The group will collectively support access hub site operations, communications, and engagement efforts.

The initial focus has been to identify and establish a site on the North Shore, an area within the city's core that currently lacks year-round shelter services. In July 2024, City Council authorized Administration to secure a North Shore site to provide shelter and services for people who are unhoused in alignment with the access hub vision. Discussions on the identified site did not proceed, and in September, the City, BC Housing, and community partners pivoted to a different opportunity site in an existing building at 142 Tranquille Road.

While establishing a site on the North Shore is the immediate focus, the group is also working to identify and support the development of longer-term sites in other areas of the community to meet the needs of unhoused individuals throughout the city.

142 Tranquille Road

Through a public Request for Proposal (RFP) process, BC Housing has selected ASK Wellness Society to manage this site and provide services for shelter guests at 142 Tranquille Road. ASK Wellness Society is a local charitable non-profit organization with a long history of delivering effective outreach, housing, health, and employment services in the region. 

ASK Wellness Society will provide 24/7 shelter services with health and social programming for up to 44 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The programming provides 3 staff on-site 24/7, three meals per day, storage of belongings, and washroom and shower facilities. Onsite services will include cultural programming, the placement of a Housing Outreach worker within the facility to provide connections to housing and support services, and the delivery of medical services offered by ASK Wellness Mobile Health Clinic at key intervals each week.