Vernon's Upper Room Mission has spent the last 44 years supporting those facing poverty, homelessness and addiction, and on Friday it outlined some near and long-term future plans to help solve these crises, including making its properties available for development and expanding its shelter program. 

Traditionally operating as a daytime drop-in centre and soup kitchen, the mission has expanded its services in recent years, partnering with BC Housing to offer an emergency winter shelter.

Now, it is nearing the completion of renovations that will provide long-term shelter, offering 24 additional safe beds per year in Vernon.

While expanding its shelter services, the mission has also partnered with the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. and UBC Okanagan's Centre for Homelessness Research to conduct Vernon's first-ever comprehensive community mapping project. This project will aim to identify gaps in services, housing, and care to help shape the mission's future development plans

The mission says the project's early findings have highlighted a critical need for more low-income, transitional and supportive housing in the city. 

Supportive housing has been a topic of discussion of late after Vernon Coun. Kari Gares presented a motion to put a until a comprehensive impact study can be done, to see if the supportive housing strategy in the city is working. Supportive housing buildings in Vernon are concentrated in the downtown near the Upper Room Mission. Gares' revised motion will be presented at the next council meeting March 24. 

A key component of the mission's strategy is increasing Vernon's transitional housing capacity. The mission said transitional housing, combined with recovery programs and partnerships, provides temporary supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, aiming to help them gain stability, sobriety and eventually, permanent housing. 

"Currently, this type of housing is not readily available in Vernon," the mission said. 

Recognizing the city's "urgent" need for expanded services, the mission's board and leadership have committed to making their properties (3403, 3405 and 3407 on 27th Avenue) available for future development. 

"These projects will address critical service gaps and maximize the impact of reducing homelessness in Vernon," the mission said. 

The mission did not say what kind of developments will or could be built on the 27th Avenue properties. The 3403 location is the mission facility's current address. 

The mission added it is focused on strengthening partnerships with service providers across the Okanagan as it "acknowledges that it cannot solve every challenge alone."

Upper Room is also currently in the early stages of planning, research and funding acquisition and welcomes community input. It is inviting city councillors and community leaders to tour its facility and learn more about its new vision and strategy. 

Once the new shelter is completed this spring, the mission will host an open house for local business leaders and members of the Downtown Vernon Association to gather feedback. 

For more information about the Upper Room Mission or to donate, visit .