Trail city council has unanimously agreed to let the homeless shelter move to Riverside Avenue, but for a shorter period than requested.
Council voted tonight to grant a permit for the shelter to be moved to a vacant city-owned property near the old bridge. However, rather than the three years BC Housing sought, council will allow only one year, although it could be renewed for one more year after that.
BC Housing says the facility, to be constructed of modular units, will have 25 beds, a fenced perimeter with privacy screening, security cameras and lighting, an indoor common area, outdoor space and on-site staff around the clock.
The shelter will only be for those who have a bed assigned, with stays that could be anywhere from a single night to several months.
BC Housing said it will continue to have outreach workers respond to neighbourhood concerns, although the exact footprint they will cover has yet to be determined.
Council will also seek to temporarily keep the existing shelter at 1456 Bay Avenue open after its permit expires at the end of September.
BC Housing further revealed it is putting out a request for proposals for an operator for the new shelter. Career Development Services operates the current facility.
The decision came after council listened for more than two hours to presentations from over 35 members of the public, most opposed to the proposal for a variety of reasons, including safety and drug use.
Councillor Paul Butler asked that the permit period be shortened from a potential four years to two because he didn’t want the shelter’s relocation to be “a legacy project” for the next council to inherit.
Council previously rejected the idea of moving the shelter to a property in the Gulch following a similar public outcry. BC Housing then revisited the Riverside Avenue site, which was originally rejected because of floodplain and geotechnical concerns.
However, councillor Thea Hanson said she felt BC Housing did a much better job of community engagement compared to the previous application.
She said no matter where the shelter goes, not everyone will be happy, but she insisted the city and BC Housing looked at every option and the Riverside Avenue one was “most recommended” by the community despite the opposition they heard. She called it the most reasonable site based on timing and proximity to downtown.
“Regardless of people’s opinions, every human being has a right to shelter,” she said.
Councillor Bev Benson said the shelter needs to be moved to a place “that allows guests safety and dignity” and that certain issues residents raised can be dealt with during the development permit process.
Councillor Nick Cashol said there is a great need for substance use treatment facilities in the West Kootenay and throughout the province as well as a major housing gap, but he didn’t think either of those things should stop the shelter’s relocation.
“If you get someone into treatment and they’re fortunate enough to recover, they still have to circle back to a home, otherwise they’ll end up back on the street with relapse inevitable,” he said.
Council subsequently passed motions to lease the property to BC Housing and to ask the provincial government to allow the current shelter to continue operating until the new one is ready. BC Housing indicated that won’t be until late this year or early next.