A packed gallery applauded Coun. Charlie Hodge as he brought forward a motion to reconsider the rezoning for a BC Housing project slated for McCurdy Road during a special council meeting held on Wednesday evening. But, B.C. Housing Minister Selina Robinson has changed the model of the project to facilitate the public害羞草研究所檚 concerns.
害羞草研究所淚 believe in this project and I want to see this facility work and I do value, to a great degree, the need of BC Housing,害羞草研究所� Coun. Hodge said, noting his concerns were stemmed from the size of the 49-unit building, the limited number of staff and the general location of the site.
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His motion was defeated with only his vote in favour of the reconsideration. But the housing project will change from a second-stage housing, or 害羞草研究所渨et害羞草研究所� facility, to a facility that will not tolerate the use of illegal drugs onsite, according to the mayor害羞草研究所檚 statements that preceded the motion for reconsideration.
Mayor Colin Basran started the meeting with comments from B.C. Housing Minister Selina Robinsons after an ongoing conversation between the two levels of government.
Mayor Basran, on behalf of the minister, informed the nearly 100 residents from Rutland and surrounding communities in the gallery that the supportive housing project on McCurdy Road would have no overdose-prevention site located onsite, nor would there be any use of illegal drugs.
害羞草研究所淧eople need a safe roof over their heads to move forward in their lives,害羞草研究所� Basran said.
Basran noted the minister said security and additional staff would be on site for the first six months when the facility opens to ensure the operation runs smoothly and incorporates into the community.
The housing project, which caters to youth between the ages of 19-24, will provide housing for those who need it most. At this time, the mayor said, 500 people in Kelowna are on a waitlist to access housing such as this.
The people who will reside in the McCurdy house will be further along in their journey to recovery, Basran said. These people will have experienced homelessness or may be at risk of homelessness, but they will have identified their need and desire for support in their recovery, he added.
This compromise had some members of the public calling out to councillors during the meeting, and shaking their heads 害羞草研究所渘o,害羞草研究所� but at the end of the day, this deal brings the project back to its first version brought forward by the original applicant, Freedom害羞草研究所檚 Door.
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In 2017, Freedom害羞草研究所檚 Door applied to buildout a home for graduates of an abstinence program, but the organization failed to raise the appropriate funds and the project was taken over by BC Housing.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 relieved,害羞草研究所� Rutland resident Chrissy Lwowski said following the meeting. 害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 a fantastic compromise. At the end of the day we have a pretty significant homeless problem in our community and this will be able to address those and also address the concerns that Rutland residents had.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淎t the end of the day it害羞草研究所檚 going to come down to how it害羞草研究所檚 managed, but I害羞草研究所檓 really happy about the outcome.害羞草研究所�
But that is not the opinion all residents of the affected neighbourhood hold.
Audra Boudreau害羞草研究所攖he organizer of a petition against supportive housing model pitched for the neighbourhood, collected more than 14,000 signatures, with approximately 13,000 of those coming from Kelowna害羞草研究所攕aid the problems are not in the project, but out in the neighbourhood.
害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 no plan here,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 really nothing that different here other than a nurse attendant, which we don害羞草研究所檛 know is that 8-4 p.m. seven days a week, or is that 24-7, we don害羞草研究所檛 know that.害羞草研究所�
Boudreau said she believes the facility will ruin the neighbourhood.
害羞草研究所淎bsolutely, I have no reservations about that,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淣one at all.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 think that害羞草研究所檚 a concern for (council),害羞草研究所� she added. 害羞草研究所淚 think what is concerning for them is the optic of having cleaned up downtown areas.害羞草研究所�
If the council had gone through with Coun. Hodge害羞草研究所檚 motion, BC Housing could have still built out the project, Coun. Gail Given clarified during her final statements. However, if the project had gone ahead in that situation, council would be dealing with a different kind of beast: a non-conforming building. And that would lead to a potential legal battle.
Lwowski said instead of spending taxpayer dollars in court, she would rather she and her Rutland neighbours continue their advocacy, but instead redirect their focus to adding in support services.
害羞草研究所淭hese are humans and they need help,害羞草研究所� said Lwowski, who has spent weeks educating herself and meeting with all levels of government and taking tours of supportive housing facilities. 害羞草研究所淥ur energy is so much better spent advocating for the supports that are required so the people can get the help that they need when they want it.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e are dealing with a countrywide epidemic that needs to be addressed.害羞草研究所�
Caitlin.clow@kelownacapnews.com
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