New thermal shelter introduced for cold weather

The City of Kelowna has launched a new thermal shelter pilot project designed to keep people living outdoors warmer.

The city has secured 20 one-person and seven two-person shelters from a manufacturer in Europe, providing space for as many as 34 residents who are sheltering outdoors.

The city says they are the only shelters like this currently available in Canada.

Mayor Tom Dyas says the pods are a simple but impressive product.

“They’re fire resistant, made from three pieces of lined and insulating foam that can be set up in minutes and the air temperature inside can increase 15 to 18 degrees Celsius compared to the outside temperature based on body heat alone,” Dyas said.

“They’re durable, easy to assemble and, while they’re not a solution to homelessness, they’re going to help a lot of Kelowna residents who are sheltering outside.”

City staff will work with local partners to distribute the units to people sheltering outside in Kelowna when temperatures drop.

The timing of distribution will depend on the weather as the thermal shelters will be made available during periods of exceptionally cold weather.

“People receiving a shelter must use it at the designated, outdoor sheltering site near the intersection of Richter Street and the Rail Trail, and they must agree to return the shelter once weather improves,” a city news release stated. “When extreme cold weather comes to an end, shelters will be collected and prepared for redistribution during the next extreme cold weather event.”

The city said funding from BC Housing has made the thermal shelter initiative possible.

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