City council has voted in favour of requesting a third-party audit be done on three of B.C. Housing鈥檚 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.
READ MORE:
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 important that the city takes into consideration the needs and impacts of everyone in the community, including seniors and the 鈥渨orking poor鈥� who are often overlooked by BC Housing.
鈥淚 recognize the authority BC Housing has but they鈥檙e not absolute.鈥� Sentes said. 鈥淚 feel strongly that they鈥檙e taking advantage of our community.
鈥淪ome of these agencies like BC Housing have tunnel vision鈥� we need to take all of the needs of all our citizens into account before a decision like this can be made.鈥�
Sentes also noted that she would like to explore options for 鈥渆arly intervention and specific mental health help鈥� instead of constructing more housing units with 鈥渘o support.鈥�
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.
鈥淪tay tuned and we鈥檒l bring information forward as we get it,鈥� mayor John Vassilaki said to the public.
READ MORE:
jesse.day@pentictonwesternnews.com
Like us on and follow us on
