The McCurdy supportive housing project by BC Housing will go ahead following council害羞草研究所檚 approval on Monday.
Councillors agreed the form and character of the proposed development by BC Housing is 害羞草研究所渂eautiful害羞草研究所� and fits within the bylaw requirements with its 50 bike stalls and 35 parking stalls.
But council emphasized the need for operators, the Canadian Mental Health Association of Kelowna, to prioritize safety and security for the surrounding community of Rutland.
害羞草研究所淲e approve land use, not tenancy,害羞草研究所� Coun. Loyal Wooldridge said. 害羞草研究所淏ut I do want to acknowledge the concern in the community, for sure.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淗ousing first is a part of our solution to end homelessness in Kelowna and we have to make these courageous decisions and I害羞草研究所檓 very confident the service providers operating the site will do so in a respectful manner for the neighbourhood,害羞草研究所� he said.
The four-storey, 49-unit building at 130 McCurdy Road will provide housing for youth between the ages of 19 and 24 and other individuals experiencing homelessness.
READ MORE: McCurdy Road supportive housing could break ground this summer
Coun. Gail Given reiterated the importance of providing housing for youth.
害羞草研究所淲e know as part of our Journey Home Strategy, the youth component is significant and the potential for youth homelessness,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淎 project like this could really provide a future for the youth.害羞草研究所�
The project, which will be built on the former Knights of Columbus hall site, had previously come before council under a different applicant in 2017. However, that applicant, Freedom害羞草研究所檚 Door, failed to raise appropriate funding and the project was dropped.
The Kelowna Knights of Columbus and the Culos Development Group continued to work together and BC Housing and CMHA took the helm to ensure the project came to fruition.
害羞草研究所淭he only thing we害羞草研究所檙e dealing with is the form and character of the building,害羞草研究所� Coun. Brad Sieben said. 害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 the only tool here in the councillors害羞草研究所� toolbox.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚t is incumbent on the operator, BC Housing and the province to ensure this functions successfully,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭here is some apprehension in the community, council doesn害羞草研究所檛 have the tools in the toolbox now, but maybe they should, in the future, to look at that and have some checks and balances.害羞草研究所�
READ MORE: MLA urges a 害羞草研究所榩ause害羞草研究所� to controversial Rutland supportive housing project
Coun. Charlie Hodge was the only one opposed to the project. He said he felt that council was put in an 害羞草研究所渁wkward situation.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淭his project is not the project it was,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淪o, it害羞草研究所檚 a tough decision.害羞草研究所�
He told his councillor colleagues he would find a flaw in the design to make his decision.
Coun. Hodge害羞草研究所檚 apprehension echoes MLA Norm Letnick has asked Housing Minister Selina Robinson to 害羞草研究所減ause害羞草研究所� the project until other project-related issues in the Rutland community are resolved.
害羞草研究所淭he people of Rutland are very generous and caring and have done more than their fair share when it comes to housing the hardest to house,害羞草研究所� Letnick said in the open letter.
A public information meeting will be held regarding the BC Housing plan on June 26 at Rutland Centennial Hall at 5:30 p.m. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
READ MORE: Addiction treatment society look to manage new BC Housing facility in Kelowna
