A new 24-7 homeless shelter will be opening in Burnaby with up to 80 semi-private "sleeping pods."
BC Housing purchased the property at 3020 Gilmore Diversion in March and has announced plans to renovate the building into a permanent shelter, according to its public engagement website.
The property, formerly home to Burnaby-based real estate developer Beedie, sold for about $16.2 million, according to an emailed statement from BC Housing.
The year-round shelter is expected to open in spring 2026.
"It will provide safe, secure spaces and supports for shelter guests and help connect them to permanent housing and community-based services," said BC Housing's website.
The shelter will include:
- staff offices
- indoor amenity space
- programming space
The shelter's support services will include meals, storage, laundry, and washroom and shower facilities.
Safety and security features will include 24-7 staffing, design features such as fenced grounds, access control, security cameras and lighting, and perimeter checks by staff, who will "conduct regular sweeps of the property and immediate area to ensure cleanliness."
BC Housing will choose a non-profit through a public bid process to operate the new shelter and then plans to reach out to neighbours this fall to introduce the shelter operator.
The City of Burnaby does not require rezoning for this use so no public hearing will be held.
The 2023 point-in-time homeless count identified 209 people experiencing homelessness in Burnaby.
"We know there is more work to do, and we will continue to work across government to address the root causes of homelessness to prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place," BC Housing told the Burnaby NOW in an emailed statement.
Residents can learn more about the project at 3020 Gilmore Diversion and meet the BC Housing team at an online webinar with a short presentation and facilitated Q&A period Wednesday, May 7. Residents can also share comments and questions by email.
People experiencing homelessness in Burnaby will soon be able to access a safe, stable place to stay, with 80 new shelter beds coming to 3020 Gilmore Diversion.
— Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) April 14, 2025
With these beds, people will get the supports they need to stabilize their lives. pic.twitter.com/7RtDMzFRS6
