The mayor of Trail says she’s disappointed although not entirely surprised with a letter this week from BC Housing saying there is no money for a proposed supportive housing project in the city. Colleen Jones adds she isn’t giving up.
“I understand it’s devastating to [BC Housing] as well because we’ve been working really hard to find a spot,” Jones said.
“For them to have to come back and tell us that unfortunately, because of fiscal constraints, we’re unable to move forward with any projects at this time is definitely disappointing.”
Jones said the community is in “desperate” need of supportive housing, a type of subsidized housing with on-site help for residents.
She said they will continue to work with BC Housing in the background so that when funding does become available, they will be ready to go.
Trail’s project had not advanced beyond an idea. While Jones said “two or three” sites were being considered, no preferred location had been identified.
New housing has also been proposed for downtown lots where buildings were recently demolished, but no specifics have been announced. Jones said it’s unclear if BC Housing would have a role to play there. She said the city is still thinking about what might go on those sites. Plans await the completion of the new official community plan.
The city recently bought a home on Portland Street, but no specific plans have been advanced for that site either.
Jones said she had heard other communities, including Nelson and Castlegar, had received similar letters from BC Housing. She expects a combined resolution from local municipalities to be sent to the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments.
“Just to talk about how desperate rural BC is for housing,” she said. “When something like this happens, it really does affect us because we don’t have any other options for funding or building.”
We’ve asked BC Housing for more information on how many projects are affected by the funding freeze.
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