Opening November 1, 2026 - Temporary winter shelter at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə

People experiencing homelessness in the Tri-Cities area will benefit from 20 temporary shelter spaces opening at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə this winter season.

Supporting people to have a safe and warm place to go this winter remains a priority for BC Housing. In partnership with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation, the City of Coquitlam, and local service providers, BC Housing is funding the operation of a temporary winter shelter at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə for the 2026/27 season. The shelter will provide a safe place to stay overnight, access to meals, and connections to support services, including assistance finding more stable housing.

These beds will be open from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. The shelter will run nightly from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. to help ensure more people experiencing homelessness in the Tri-Cities have a safe place to stay overnight.

Progressive Housing Society will operate the shelter for a second consecutive year. The organization has extensive experience managing multiple housing projects in the Tri-Cities that provide support services to people who need them.

səmiq̓ʷəʔelə, “Place of the Great Blue Heron”, is a place that holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people. We acknowledge the strong support and collaboration that kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation has provided to make this shelter a reality. This is the second year that the shelter will operate in this location despite it not being the most suitable location for shelter services.

Temporary winter shelters are a critical resource for people experiencing homelessness, especially during cold and wet winter months. Ideally, a shelter is located close to the community resources and services people depend on. The shelter at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə will be accessible via shuttle service to/from three locations within the Tri-Cities area.