The B.C. government says it is partnering with A Way Home Kamloops and a local developer to build 39 new homes for people between the age of 19 and 26 experiencing homelessness.

It will be named ‘Katherine’s Place’ after the late Katherine McParland, the former executive director of A Way Home Kamloops, and it will be located at 560-562 Tranquille Road.

“Katherine McParland had a dream that we would one day provide a home to many young people in a place where they would feel supported and loved, where all of the wraparound supports they require would be available,” Tangie Genshorek, the executive director of A Way Home Kamloops, said.

“We are excited to be able to make that dream a reality at Katherine’s Place.”

Genshorek says the plan to name the building after McParland began shortly after her untimely death in December.

“The next steps will be some community information sessions. While we don’t require rezoning, we still want to engage the community and help them understand what the project is all about and what A Way Home does,” she told NL News.

“That location on Tranquille is really ideally because its so close to the transit exchange which is a key hub for young people. Most of them don’t drive at all.”

In a statement, B.C.’s Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing, David Eby, said every young person deserves access to a safe and secure place to call home.

“I would like to thank A Way Home Kamloops for bringing this important proposal forward to give vulnerable youth and young adults in Kamloops the supports needed to make a fresh start,” he said.

A Way Home Kamloops will be operating the site with staff present 24-7 providing residents with meals, counselling, life skills training, as well as employment and education support. People will also get access to community health services, as needed.

The province says the property is already zoned for a multi-use housing building, adding a development permit application has also been submitted to the City of Kamloops. If approved, funding for the project will come from the Province’s Building BC: Supportive Housing Fund.

“After we get the development permit from the City of Kamloops, we’re looking at 18 months or two years, probably realistically, before we’re actually moved in, but we’ll also have a ground breaking ceremony when we do get that development permit,” Genshorek added.

B.C.’s Minister of Children and Family Development, Mitzi Dean, says through this project, Katherine McParland’s legacy will continue to thrive.

“It is so important that every young person has a safe place to call home,” she said. “There will be a secure home in Kamloops for young people for years to come.”

“I am so grateful to A Way Home Kamloops for their dedication to the youth and young people they serve. Collaboration on projects like this is vital to the success of supporting young people who are facing homelessness.”

A Way Home Kamloops will also be using the space for its offices as the building will also include some commercial space.