Construction on Katherine’s Place, a new supportive housing building for youth and young adults in Kamloops, is underway.
Named after the late Katherine McParland, the facility at 560 Tranquille Road will provide 39 new supportive homes for people between 19 and 26.
“It’s so important that young people have a safe and secure place to call home,” Nicholas Simons, B.C.’s Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, said.
“I am grateful to A Way Home Kamloops for partnering with our government to build a place that will provide supportive homes for youth in need.”
The facility will be operated by A Way Home Kamloops, the organization founded by Katherine McParland, who died of a fentanyl overdose in Dec. 2020.
“[We are] proud to carry on Katherine’s legacy and excited to see such a key piece of her vision coming to fruition,” A Way Home Kamloops Executive Director, Tangie Genshorek, added.
“The staff and board of A Way Home Kamloops are pleased to partner with BC Housing to help ensure that youth at risk of homelessness in Kamloops have appropriate and safe options for supported housing.”
Katherine’s Place will have 24/7 staff, providing residents with meals, counselling, life-skills training, as well as employment and education support with A Way Home Kamloops also supporting their access to community health services.
The building will also include commercial space, which will be used by A Way Home Kamloops for its offices, currently located on Victoria Street downtown.
“Katherine’s Place is an acknowledgement of her positive, life-changing effect on local youth and will continue her legacy by providing services to young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness,” a BC Government statement added.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2023.