City council has voted in favour of requesting a third-party audit be done on three of B.C. Housing害羞草研究所檚 existing supportive housing facilities in Penticton.
The purpose of the audit would be to to determine if sufficient actions have been taken to support those in need and what the impact of the housing units has been on the community. Councillors voted in favour of requesting the audit today (Jan. 26) in a special council meeting.
The city would like to see the audit completed before BC Housing applies for any new development permits in the city. BC Housing recently announced plans to build a new 54 unit supportive housing project at 3240 Skaha Lake Road. The project, which would house those experiencing homelessness, would be modelled after the existing supportive housing facility Burdock House on Winnipeg Street.
Burdock House, Compass House, and Fairhaven Supportive Housing are the three facilities the city would like to see audited.
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Council voted unanimously in favour of requesting the audit, citing the current lack of information on the impact to the community and effectiveness of BC Housing害羞草研究所檚 current supportive housing units.
Council recently asked for a housing needs assessment from BC Housing but has not yet received it.
Coun. Judy Sentes said it害羞草研究所檚 important that the city takes into consideration the needs and impacts of everyone in the community, including seniors and the 害羞草研究所渨orking poor害羞草研究所� who are often overlooked by BC Housing.
害羞草研究所淚 recognize the authority BC Housing has but they害羞草研究所檙e not absolute.害羞草研究所� Sentes said. 害羞草研究所淚 feel strongly that they害羞草研究所檙e taking advantage of our community.
害羞草研究所淪ome of these agencies like BC Housing have tunnel vision害羞草研究所� we need to take all of the needs of all our citizens into account before a decision like this can be made.害羞草研究所�
Sentes also noted that she would like to explore options for 害羞草研究所渆arly intervention and specific mental health help害羞草研究所� instead of constructing more housing units with 害羞草研究所渘o support.害羞草研究所�
Coun. Katie Robinson claimed the impacts of the current supportive housing have been vast, including causing local businesses to shutter.
Council, alongside Penticton MLA Dan Ashton, will attend a meeting via Zoom today with BC Housing minister David Eby at 4 p.m. to further discuss their desire for an audit. The topic is also on the agenda for the next regular council meeting Wednesday, Feb. 3.
害羞草研究所淪tay tuned and we害羞草研究所檒l bring information forward as we get it,害羞草研究所� mayor John Vassilaki said to the public.
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jesse.day@pentictonwesternnews.com
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