City council has voted in favour of requesting a third-party audit be done on three of B.C. Housingsa国际传媒檚 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 Housingsa国际传媒檚 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 itsa国际传媒檚 important that the city takes into consideration the needs and impacts of everyone in the community, including seniors and the sa国际传媒渨orking poorsa国际传媒� who are often overlooked by BC Housing.
sa国际传媒淚 recognize the authority BC Housing has but theysa国际传媒檙e not absolute.sa国际传媒� Sentes said. sa国际传媒淚 feel strongly that theysa国际传媒檙e taking advantage of our community.
sa国际传媒淪ome of these agencies like BC Housing have tunnel visionsa国际传媒� we need to take all of the needs of all our citizens into account before a decision like this can be made.sa国际传媒�
Sentes also noted that she would like to explore options for sa国际传媒渆arly intervention and specific mental health helpsa国际传媒� instead of constructing more housing units with sa国际传媒渘o support.sa国际传媒�
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.
sa国际传媒淪tay tuned and wesa国际传媒檒l bring information forward as we get it,sa国际传媒� mayor John Vassilaki said to the public.
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jesse.day@pentictonwesternnews.com
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