Women and children escaping violence now have more places to turn in Kelowna.
The newly built Alexandra Gardner Women and Children Safe Centre, known as AG House, will provide 44 new shelter and transitional housing spaces.
The five-storey building replaces an older 20-space shelter and now includes 20 shelter beds and 24 transitional studio homes. It's designed to support women and their children as they rebuild their lives in safety and stability.
“Making sure women and children escaping violence can live safely, comfortably and affordably is essential to helping them recover and move forward,” said Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “Adding new shelter beds and transitional homes in Kelowna is offering hope, stability and the opportunity to live free from abuse.”
The project was funded with more than $5 million from the province through a BC Housing grant. It’s part of B.C.’s larger $19-billion housing strategy, which has delivered or is developing more than 93,250 homes across the province, including over 2,200 in Kelowna.
The federal government also contributed to the project.
“These new shelter beds and homes mean that women and their families will have a place to turn to where they will have the support they need to rebuild their lives, heal and gain independence,” said Kelowna MP Stephen Fuhr.
The building, operated by NOW Canada, has separate entrances for the shelter and transitional housing, as well as a commercial kitchen, dining area, lounge, and laundry facilities. Staff will be on-site 24/7 to provide support.
“This is a vital step toward addressing the shortage of shelter beds, affordable housing and essential services for vulnerable women in our community.” said Liz Talbott, NOW Canada’s executive director.
The project is part of the province’s Building BC: Women’s Transition Housing Fund, which aims to deliver 3,000 new spaces for women and children escaping violence. More than 1,200 units are already complete or in progress.
“Everyone deserves to be safe and have access to the supports they need,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “This new centre provides women and children in crisis with a secure, caring environment to begin rebuilding their lives.”
For safety reasons, the location of AG House has not been disclosed.
The new shelter is part of B.C.’s Gender-Based Violence Action Plan, launched in December 2023.
