The 2023 Point-in-Time Count identified 312 people experiencing homelessness in our community during that 24-hour period. As Point-in-Time Counts do not capture the hidden homeless (i.e. people who are couch surfing, sleeping in vehicles, or who are otherwise precariously housed), they can be considered as counts that provide a snapshot of the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness at a given period of time.
The City works closely with community partners to provide resources and supports for people experiencing homelessness. Below are some resources available in our community. If you see anything that requires updating, please contact communications@kamloops.ca.
Community Agency Resources
Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT)
The VAT helps provide a consistent and fair way of identifying adults who could most benefit from supportive housing and different approaches to handling their cases. People experiencing homelessness must have a completed VAT to be considered for placement in supportive housing.
A VAT can be obtained by contacting one of the following providers: ASK Wellness, Interior Health, Elizabeth Fry Society, Connective, The Mustard Seed Kamloops, Canadian Mental Health Association-Kamloops, or Lii Michif Otipemisiwak Family and Community Services.
Emergency Shelters
Emergency shelters provide an important service to those without homes. Unless otherwise noted, shelters operate 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, and provide daily meals, laundry and shower facilities, support services, and connections to community resources and longer-term housing options. Depending on staffing availability, the shelter system may also be able to expand and respond during extreme weather events and emergency situations to provide additional shelter spaces or warming centres for people experiencing homelessness.
The table below includes current capacity at dedicated shelter sites and does not include motel units which may be used to provide additional temporary shelter beds.
| Name | Address | Operator | Hours | Bed Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Centre | 271 Victoria Street West | Canadian Mental Health Association–Kamloops | 24/7 | 40 |
| The Mustard Seed Kamloops | 181 Victoria Street West | The Mustard Seed | 24/7 | 22 |
| Merit Place | 725 Notre Dame Drive | Canadian Mental Health Association–Kamloops | 24/7 | 50 |
| Moira House | 600 Kingston Avenue | Canadian Mental Health Association–Kamloops | 24/7 | 41 |
| Harbour House (Women only) | 181 Victoria Street West | The Mustard Seed | 24/7 | 12 |
| Stuart Wood (temporary winter shelter closing April 30, 2025; potential for an extension.) | 245 St. Paul Street | Out of the Cold | 8:00 pm–8:00 am | 25 |
| Yacht Club (temporary winter shelter; October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025) | 1140 River Street | The Mustard Seed 24/7 | 24/7 | 20 |
Temporary Shelter
Every individual deserves the right to shelter. Despite the significant progress we have made with our community partners, the number of people sheltering continues to exceed emergency shelter capacity. Municipalities continue to try and manage the impact resulting from poverty, lack of affordable and social housing, mental health, and addiction issues.
When there is insufficient housing and shelter space for people experiencing homelessness, the law in British Columbia states that the City may not prohibit all its parks and public spaces from being used for temporary overnight sheltering. The City can, however, identify which parks or public spaces the prohibition against overnight sheltering will not be applied. The City works with individuals and community partners to communicate the guidelines and areas that are permitted to seek shelter.
