LETTER – The reality is that all beds are spoken for at Moira House facility

In response to statements made at tonight’s council meeting regarding shelter capacity at CMHA Kamloops, please attribute the following statement to me:

Our shelters are currently at full capacity. The mayor’s contention otherwise does not align with real-time tracking of available shelter space, not just in Kamloops, but across the province.

In his comments, the mayor referred to our building on Kingston Avenue, Moira House. Moira House is a different type of housing on the continuum than low-barrier shelters like Pathways, Emerald Centre, or Merit Place. Moira is recovery-oriented shelter. It welcomes clients from low-barrier shelters by referral. Residents are assessed prior to tenancy to ensure they are a fit for recovery-oriented programming.

To the extent that not all the rooms at Moira, or pods at Merit Place or Emerald Centre appear full during the day, that reflects normal shelter use. Residents are not confined to their spaces, they are out in the community, as is their right, just like anyone else.

The reality is that all beds are spoken for and occupied by residents and their belongings. Occupancy should not be measured by who is physically inside at a given moment. Just as you wouldn’t say a home isn’t full because the family is out during the day, the same principle applies here. Residents return, and those spaces remain theirs.

BRETT MINEER
Manager Communications and Engagement
Canadian Mental Health Association