Construction has been delayed for Katherine’s Place – the 39 unit complex for homeless youth and young adults.
Named ‘Katherine’s Place’ after A Way Home Kamloops late founder Katherine McParland – the lot the complex was slated to be built on in the 500-block of Tranquille sits empty.
“You can see that lot is still a dirt lot on Tranquille and its winter time now so it looks like spring time for our construction now.”
Initially, construction on the supportive housing complex got underway in August, with the expected completion date set for late 2023, however, Genshorek says Katherine’s Place likely won’t open its doors until 2024.
“We’re just happy that it’s proceeding and it gives us more time to prepare. It’s unfortunate because we know we need the units now. There is a lot of youth out there suffering in inappropriate housing, there is youth on the streets that need housing now but we can look forward to that.”
She says the delay according to is due to some protracted negotiations between BC Housing and their developer.
“You know BC Housing and our developer are doing some negotiating there and I think the quickest they can do that construction because it is not pre-fab would be 15 months and it could be more like 18 months.”
Meanwhile, the annual camp-out to end youth homelessness has raised over $101,000 of their $150,000 goal.
The organization is still accepting donations with more information available on its website. All donations will go to support programming at Katherine’s Place.