2702 Nicola Avenue, Merritt, BC
HOURS: 5:00 PM – 9:00 AM
NOVEMBER 2025 | NICOLA VALLEY SHELTER AND SUPPORT SOCIETY
The Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society (NVSSS) is expanding its capacity this winter to ensure no one in Merritt is left without shelter during periods of extreme cold. This initiative is made possible with funding support from the Province of British Columbia, through BC Housing’s Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Program, and in partnership with the City of Merritt.
NVSSS operates the emergency shelter at the former Knights Inn, located at 2702 Nicola Avenue, which provides 40 beds for individuals experiencing homelessness. Beginning in November 2025, through March 31, 2026, NVSSS will activate an Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Shelter on the same property whenever temperatures drop below –10°C.
This seasonal measure will add 10 EWR beds to protect individuals overnight from life-threatening cold. Additional staff will be on site during EWR activations to maintain safety and ensure continued positive relationships with neighbours and the broader community. NVSSS emphasizes that the EWR program is temporary and activated only during periods of extreme weather. The organization does not anticipate any disruption to the surrounding community.
WHAT IS AN EXTREME WEATHER RESPONSE SHELTER?
An Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelter opens when an EWR alert is issued for Merritt under the following conditions (subject to change on direction from the Medical Health Officer):
- Temperatures (sustained or wind chill) of ≤ -7 Celsius or lower; and/or
- Snowstorm accumulating more than 5cm combined with ≤ -3 Celsius; and/or
- Rain/freezing rain with combined with ≤ -3 Celsius
