The future of the Riverside Avenue shelter will be decided at a public council meeting on Monday, July 21.
Trail city council will consider a three-year renewal of Temporary Use Permit No. 27, which currently allows the facility to operate on a temporary basis.
The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in council chambers at Trail City Hall, with remote attendance available via Zoom.
The shelter, officially opened last year on Sept. 10, is the result of a partnership between the City of Trail and BC Housing.
It was built in response to the growing need for shelter and support services for people experiencing homelessness in the city. The current permit is set to expire on the one-year anniversary of its opening.
If approved, this renewal would represent the only allowable extension for the Temporary Use Permit, giving the shelter a green light to operate until 2028.
No changes to the shelter’s operations are proposed in the renewal application.
Replacing the former Bay Avenue shelter, the new 25-bed facility near the Old Trail Bridge was purpose-built to meet long-term community needs.
It offers 24/7 staff support, three meals a day, shower and laundry facilities, life skills programming, and links to healthcare and social services.
Unlike its predecessor, the Riverside shelter does not provide drop-in services.
The building features enhanced safety measures for both residents and the neighbourhood, including gated access, fob entry, security cameras, upgraded lighting, and improved visibility of surrounding public areas.
An outdoor common space and expanded indoor communal areas were also added as part of the upgrade.
BC Housing invested $2.5 million into the facility’s development and continues to fund its annual operations at a cost of approximately $1.4 million.
The City of Trail did not contribute financially to construction or operations but entered a lease agreement with BC Housing for the property.
The shelter is operated by the Trail Association for Community Living (TACL) and retains the name “La Nina” in tribute to a member of the family that established Trail’s first homeless shelter.
Residents with questions or concerns are encouraged to participate in the July 21 meeting, either in person or online.
To join via Zoom, individuals must register in advance by emailing ca@trail.ca.
Written submissions will also be accepted until Wednesday, July 16.
The permit is available for public viewing at city hall between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Tracey Butler at tbutler@trail.ca or calling (250) 364-0800.
