Project overview
BC Housing, the City of Powell River and Lift Community Services are working together to develop a 40-bed temporary shelter at 7104 Barnet Street in Powell River. The temporary shelter will be called Driftwood Shelter.
As part of the Toxic Drug Crisis Response, the qathet Overdose Prevention Site that previously operated at 4752 Joyce Avenue will be co-located on the property.
We first shared our plans for this site in July 2025. We are excited to be able to soon welcome community members at Driftwood Shelter.
We are inviting interested neighbours to join us for a guided tour around Driftwood Shelter and overdose prevention site. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about Driftwood Shelter and how it operates before it opens.
Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm; 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: 7104 Barnet Street, Powell River
Format: Each guided tour will run for up to 20 minutes. Project team representatives will be present to answer questions about operations.
Details: Capacity is limited. Registration is required. Attendance will be limited to those who have successfully registered for a specific tour time.
RSVP: Please register by visiting powell-river-driftwood-shelter-tours.eventbrite.ca.
BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health have made several formal commitments to the City of Powell River to ensure the safe and effective operation of Driftwood Shelter and overdose prevention site. The Letter of Commitment is available for download.
We will share a direct phone number for the site as soon as it is available. Lift will have staff on site 24/7 to support guests and provide a contact for neighbours. Staff commit to working with guests and the surrounding community on an ongoing basis to address any concerns quickly and collaboratively.
BC Housing will facilitate the launch of a Neighbourhood Inclusion Table. This table will bring together various local agencies including Lift, Vancouver Coastal Health, the City of Powell River and RCMP. This group will work to support the initial operations of the site, address any community issues and concerns, and promote the site’s overall inclusion into the community.
Driftwood Shelter will provide 40 safe, secure spaces for people experiencing homelessness in Powell River. It will be open 24/7, year-round.
Lift will have experienced staff on site 24/7 to manage the shelter and provide services to shelter guests. Support services will typically include meals, storage, laundry, washroom and shower facilities, as well as connections to community-based services and permanent housing.
The name Driftwood was chosen as a symbol of endurance and landing.
Like driftwood shaped by the elements, people accessing shelter services are often enduring harsh circumstances beyond their control. Their experiences can be shaped by external forces that are difficult to navigate.
As something that collects on shore, Driftwood also represents a landing place – a place to rest. Emergency shelters are places for people to land, regroup, and find stability during periods of uncertainty.
Driftwood Shelter is considered a temporary shelter project because we plan to keep it open only until permanent shelter spaces and additional supportive housing can open in Powell River. The proposed new building at Joyce Avenue near qathet General Hospital includes approximately 20 permanent shelter spaces and 43 supportive homes, some with added Complex Care Housing services.
The site at 7104 Barnet Street has been earmarked for permanent affordable rental housing following closure of the temporary shelter project at a future date.
In line with the Province of British Columbia’s Toxic Drug Crisis response, the qathet Overdose Prevention Site will be co-located on the 7104 Barnet Street property for the duration of the temporary shelter.
Funded by Vancouver Coastal Health and operated by Lift, the qathet Overdose Prevention Site provides urgent, life-saving overdose prevention and response services. There will be a standalone trailer and outdoor inhalation support. These will be available to shelter guests and community members 7 days a week. Services will include a Peer Recovery Navigator that can support participants to connect with stabilization and recovery services that align with their health and wellness goals.
Shelters are an important part of community safety. Having shelters in a community means there are fewer vulnerable people sheltering outdoors. This increases people’s personal safety and well-being and contributes to community safety overall.
Safety and security features at Driftwood Shelter will include:
- Staffing: Staff will be on site 24/7 to support shelter guests. We will share a direct phone number with neighbours when it is available. Staff commit to working with shelter guests and the surrounding community on an ongoing basis to address any safety concerns quickly and collaboratively.
- Design features: The shelter will incorporate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design including fenced grounds, controlled access, 24/7 staffed reception, security cameras and lighting.
- Property maintenance: Lift will manage and maintain the shelter building and property as any other neighbour would. Staff will conduct regular sweeps of the property to ensure cleanliness.
A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of people transitioning out of homelessness.
For questions and comments about the day-to-day operations of Driftwood Shelter and overdose prevention site, please email Lift at [email protected].
For general inquiries about Driftwood Shelter, please email BC Housing at [email protected].
For general inquiries the overdose prevention site, please email Vancouver Coastal Health at [email protected].
July 30, 2025
Project announcement
Fall 2025
Construction
Spring 2026
Completion and opening
Questions?
Please email [email protected] with questions about this project.
You can also ask to be added to our contact list for updates.