Safe housing suite for seniors opens in Kamloops

A new safe suiteis being created in Kamloopsto house seniors fleeing conflict and seniors who find themselves without a home.

The need for a seniors-specific program has been demonstrated by the number of older people seeking shelter at the Emerald Centre, a 42-bed shelter downtown.

At least four of the beds at the shelter are occupied each night by people over the age of 55,KamloopsCanadian Mental Health Association executive director ChristaMullalytoldCBC'sDoug Herbert.

"We know some folks are on fixed income and when things change for them they lose their housing if they don't have a support network to rely on," she said.

Mullalysaid seniors seek shelterbecause of illness or breakdowns with marriages and family, whichrenderthem unable to earn income to pay rent and bills.

The Canadian Mental Health Association will manage and support thesafe suitewith the help of the ASK Wellness Society, a local charity that works to house people in need.

There will only be one suite to beginwith, meaning some seniors will still need to visit shelters and find housing in other ways.

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The safe suite available only to people over 60 is part of a larger program run by ASK Wellness,called the Homeless Seniors Tenancy Development Program, whichuses 10 suites to house seniors in a bind that need somewhere to live.

The senior tenants live in the units, managed and rented by ASK Wellness, and within six months the idea is that they will be in a position to take over the rent on their own.Once a tenant takes over the suite, ASK Wellness acquires a new one, to keep the number of suites at 10.

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The safe suite has a shorter stay expectancy than the other residences a maximum of two months but the Canadian Mental Health Association will work with the tenants during that time to ensure they have the supports needed to get them back into regular housing.

Mullaly expects the suite will be occupied each month.

Because of safety concerns, Mullaly could not disclose where the suite is located.

With files from Daybreak Kamloops

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